The Indian government has offered its “unstinted support” to the five Tamil Nadu fishermen who have been sentenced to death by a Sri Lankan court last week.
India's External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said India's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Yash Sinha visited the fishermen, who are currently being held in Welikada prison in Colombo, on Monday.
"He (Sinha) assured them of unstinted support and cooperation of government of India in ensuring that their case receives the utmost attention. He also assured them that the government will make all efforts to secure their early release and repatriation to India," said Akbaruddin.
The comments come as the families of the five fishermen met with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.
"We will study the matter in detail and hold discussions with officials and later discuss it in the cabinet,” said Gadkari, adding that he would convey the families' messages to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Also see our earlier posts:
Wife of death row fisherman seeks Madras High Court action (01 November 2014)
Protests in Tamil Nadu against SL death sentence to fishermen (31 Oct 2014)
Sri Lanka sentences 5 Tamil Nadu fishermen to death, India says men innocent (30 Oct 2014)
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