On the eve of Sri Lankan president Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s visit to Myiliddy, boats belonging to Tamil Nadu fishermen were demolished with JCB machinery and removed from the harbour premises.
The president is due to inaugurate the Myiliddy harbour reconstruction works today. In preparation for this, 33 boats of Tamil Nadu fishermen that had been impounded in the Myiliddy harbour area are now being smashed apart and cleared away using JCB vehicles.
For years, Tamil Nadu fishermen arrested on charges of allegedly trespassing into Sri Lankan waters had their boats seized by the Sri Lankan navy and detained at the harbour. At present, 124 such boats remain held at the site.
Court cases concerning these incidents have been proceeding separately. Some have concluded, while others remain pending. Of the impounded vessels, 33 have been vested in state ownership by judicial order. Seven boats have been ordered by the court to be returned to their respective owners, while cases relating to the remaining boats are still under trial.
On 25 August, the owners of the seven boats ordered to be returned by the court travelled from Tamil Nadu under naval escort to Myiliddy, where they were able to see their vessels.
