Allegations that arrested Sri Lankan fishers are retained for a long time in custody by the Indian government is false emphasizes the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development.

Until now, no request has been made to the Ministry or to the government by the families of the fishers or any other party mentioning that their members are being retained by the Indian government.

Recent news on media regarding a statement of Northern Provincial Fisheries Director has been brought to the attention of Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Mahinda Amaraweera. It has been revealed that even though three Sri Lankan's are currently held in custody by the Indian government, they have not been arrested for engaging in fishing but for other illegal activities.

However, both the governments have agreed to release the apprehended fishers following immediate legal actions to tighten the bilateral relations. Thus, no fisher shall be held in custody for a long period of time and they shall be released on humane grounds.

In case of any fisher being arrested by India or any other country, a complaint can be made to the Fisheries Ministry upon which the Ministry will act to get them released. The Minister emphasized that no such complaint has been made to the Ministry from any of the families. Therefore, the accusations of certain parties against the Indian government for not releasing Sri Lankan fishers are groundless, emphasizes the Minister.