Sri Lanka releases 40 Indian fishermen from custody

Forty Indian fishermen were released from Sri Lankan custody on Monday after they appeared before two separate courts in the northern part of the island nation, an official said here.

An official from the Foreign Ministry told Xinhua that 14 of the Indian fishermen were released following an order from the Mannar court while 26 others were released by a court in Point Pedro.

Sri Lankan authorities were now working out the procedure on handing over these fishermen to the Indian authorities, the official added. All Indian fishermen have now been released from Sri Lankan custody. Their release also came just days before India is expected to commemorate its 69th Independence Day on August 15.

Both India and Sri Lanka have been trying to address the long- standing Indo-Sri Lankan fishing issue, with several discussions held in the past resulting in a deadlock.

Indian fishermen often stray into Sri Lankan waters to catch fish as the island nation has rich fishing resources.