Around 1200 Indians have 'donated' kidneys in Sri Lanka within the last three years, a lawyer appearing for the Indians who were recently arrested for visa law violations told the Colombo Magistrate's Court today.

The lawyer also maintained that six out of eight Indians in custody have donated their kidneys legally.

The surgeries have been carried out in Sri Lankan hospitals after obtaining permission from the Director General of Health Services, the lawyer informed, producing a document apparently giving permission for a surgery for one individual.

The surgeries have been carried out in the years 2012 to 2015 and the Indians have been in the country for at least one and a half years or more, the lawyer acknowledged.

Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya fixed the next hearing for April 18 and ordered the Indians be detained at the Mirihana detention camp.