Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin called on the Union Government to take urgent diplomatic action after 14 fishermen from Rameswaram were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy on August 6 for allegedly crossing the maritime border while fishing.
In a strongly worded letter to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, the Chief Minister expressed grave concern over the repeated apprehension of Tamil Nadu fishermen by Sri Lankan authorities, calling it a direct threat to their livelihood and traditional rights.
“I write to draw your immediate and personal attention to the recent apprehension of fourteen Indian fishermen, along with their mechanised fishing boat and an unregistered country craft, by the Sri Lankan Navy in the early hours of Wednesday (Aug 6),” the Chief Minister stated in the letter. The incident marks the 17th such arrest in 2025 alone, according to Stalin. He also highlighted that 80 fishermen and 237 fishing boats are currently held in Sri Lankan custody, cutting off their primary source of income.
Despite numerous appeals to the Centre, Stalin said such incidents continue unabated. He personally sought Jaishankar’s diplomatic intervention with the Sri Lankan government to secure the immediate release of the detained fishermen and their boats.
“The situation remains tense among coastal communities in Tamil Nadu, with repeated arrests causing deep concern. Over the past 50 days alone, more than 40 Indian fishermen have been arrested and several of their boats seized, intensifying fears over the loss of livelihood and access to traditional fishing waters,” said an official of the Tamil Nadu government.
As Tamil Nadu’s fishermen community awaits action, all eyes are now on the Ministry of External Affairs and the central government’s next diplomatic move.
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