Four Indian fishermen from a village in Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy on Friday after they reportedly strayed into Lankan waters, officials said.

Fisheries department officials said that the fishermen from Pushpavanam village, who were reported missing after they ventured out for fishing on Thursday, had strayed into Lankan waters due to a rough sea and were rescued by their Lankan counterparts. They were then handed over to the Sri Lankan Navy.

An official said the fishermen have been remanded in judicial custody.

Efforts would be made to get the four fishermen released from Sri Lankan custody, officials added.

On Sunday, the Sri Lankan Navy had arrested 14 Tamil Nadu fishermen near Jaffna Peninsula on charges of poaching in Lankan waters, prompting Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam to seek the Centre's intervention for their release.
(PTI)