The Sri Lankan navy arrested at least 34 Indian fishermen and seized their boats, a day before it was due to release another batch of Indian fishermen in its custody.
The fishermen from Tamil Nadu were arrested and at least 11 boats detained, for allegedly trespassing into Sri Lankan waters.
The latest arrests come a day after a 49-member delegation of AIADMK parliamentarians met Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to discuss the issue, with more promises of action made by the central government. "She has assured us that the issue would be discussed with the High Commissioner," said senior AIADMK leader and Deputy Speaker M Thambi Durai.
"Further, we were told that steps would be initiated to resolve the issues at the earliest by taking it up with Sirisena and Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he added.
The meeting follows repeated letters to the Indian Prime Minister from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.
The Sri Lankan government had pledged to release a group of 86 Indian fishermen tomorrow.
The fishermen from Tamil Nadu were arrested and at least 11 boats detained, for allegedly trespassing into Sri Lankan waters.
The latest arrests come a day after a 49-member delegation of AIADMK parliamentarians met Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to discuss the issue, with more promises of action made by the central government. "She has assured us that the issue would be discussed with the High Commissioner," said senior AIADMK leader and Deputy Speaker M Thambi Durai.
"Further, we were told that steps would be initiated to resolve the issues at the earliest by taking it up with Sirisena and Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he added.
The meeting follows repeated letters to the Indian Prime Minister from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.
The Sri Lankan government had pledged to release a group of 86 Indian fishermen tomorrow.