The process for release of 126 Tamil Nadu fishermen lodged in Sri Lankan prisons was underway and they were expected to be released by the third week of this month, a Lankan fishermen association leader said today.

The fishermen, belonging to various districts and arrested on different dates in the past more than a month, have been remanded to judicial custody by courts in Sri Lanka and the island government had recently announced it would release them.

Sri Lankan Vadamarachi Fishermen Organisation President Emiliyaan Pillai today said the island republic's Attorney General had already sent letters recommending release of the fishermen to the concerned courts.

Letters in respect of 113 fishermen had been received by the courts and as soon as receipt of recommendation for others, all the 126 fishermen would be released, he told PTI when contacted.

(PTI)