DHAKA: Sri Lanka’s navy said on Sunday it has arrested 73 Indian fishermen for illegal poaching amid heightened tensions between the neighbours over the long-standing issue.

The navy said it seized 16 Indian trawlers with 73 fishermen on board for poaching in Sri Lankan waters over the weekend.


‘The arrested fishermen were handed over to officials of the department of fisheries... for further action,’ the navy said in a statement, reports The Straits Times.

Last week, Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapakse ordered the release of 29 Indians who were arrested off the island’s northern waters on charges of poaching in a move to ease tensions over the issue.

BDST: 1840 HRS, JUNE 08, 2014