The Sri Lankan minister for fisheries said the 63 fishing boats impounded since June this year during the arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen, would not be released.
“I don’t think it is possible to release the boats,” Senaratne told the New Indian Express.
The Sri Lankan government earlier released over 94 detained Indian fishermen following a pledge made by President Rajapaksa to do so as an act of good will on India's independence day.
Last month the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Jayalalithaa urged India's Prime Minister to secure the release of the fishing boats, stating that the impounding of the boats was a "deliberate strategy of the Sri Lankan government to destroy the primary means of livelihood of Indian fishermen."
See related articles:
Sri Lanka releases 94 Tamil Nadu fishermen (16 Aug 2014)
India thanks Sri Lanka for release of detained fishermen (15 Aug 2014)
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