Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa has ordered the release of all Indian fishermen in a message on his Twitter account.
The tweet said that the president ordered the release of the fishermen in Sri Lankan custody “on the occasion of India’s Independence Day", coming up later this week.
93 fishermen, arrested for allegedly poaching in Sri Lankan waters, are currently in prisons on the island, according to Colombo Page.
Meanwhile the Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka expressed his gratitude to the government for enabling the smooth implementation of Indian projects on the island and said India remained committed to assist Sri Lanka in its endeavours of rehabilitation, reconstruction and reconciliation.
“The relationship has now blossomed to encompass all areas of contemporary relevance. As Sri Lanka strives towards a peaceful future, the Government and the people of India remain committed to assist Sri Lanka in its endeavours of rehabilitation, reconstruction and reconciliation,” High Commissioner YK Sinha said.
Sinha pointed out that India had always extended its hand of friendship and cooperation to Sri Lanka, but the nature of India’s assistance has “evolved and expanded” since the end of the armed conflict in 2009, Colombo Gazette reported.
Jayalalithaa slams 'deliberate and callous' arrests as Sri Lanka detains more fishermen (29 July 2014)
50 Tamil Nadu fishermen arrested by Sri Lankan Navy (29 July 2014)