Four Indian fishermen from Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy on Tuesday for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and fishing illegally in Sri Lankan waters.
The arrests occurred during early morning patrols when Sri Lankan naval forces intercepted the fishermen&rsquo;s motorised boat in the mid-sea. The detainees were taken to the Mannar Naval Camp for further interrogation, and their boat was seized.
This incident is part of a recurring maritime dispute between the two nations. Fishermen from coastal districts like Ramanathapuram in Tamil Nadu rely heavily on deep-sea fishing but face repeated threats of arrest and boat confiscation by Sri Lankan authorities. Many seized boats are eventually declared state property in Sri Lanka.
Fishermen's associations condemned the incident, urging both the Indian central and Tamil Nadu governments to pursue strong diplomatic engagement with Sri Lanka.
&ldquo;These arrests are not just about boats&mdash;they endanger our lives and threaten our livelihoods,&rdquo; said John Thomas, a fishermen&rsquo;s union representative.
With no lasting diplomatic resolution in place, fears among fishing communities continue to grow. They are demanding urgent and concrete steps to ensure the safety and rights of Indian fishermen operating near the IMBL.
[Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed.]
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4 Tamil Nadu Fishermen Held by Sri Lankan Navy

Sri Lankan Navy detains 4 TN fishermen for crossing IMBL, seizes boat, sparks protests

4 Tamil Nadu Fishermen Held by Sri Lankan Navy

Sri Lankan Navy detains 4 TN fishermen for crossing IMBL, seizes boat, sparks protests

July 22, 2025 | 14:45 IST