Sri Lankan Navy detains seven fishermen from Rameswaram and Thangachimadam
The fishermen were apprehended for allegedly poaching in international waters near the Katchatheevu islet.
The Sri Lankan Navy arrested seven fishermen from the Ramanathapuram district in the early hours of Sunday, November 1, 2026, according to The Hindu. The fishermen, hailing from Rameswaram and Thangachimadam, were intercepted while fishing between the Katchatheevu islet and Mannar North at approximately 1 a.m.
The naval personnel apprehended the men and their trawler on charges of poaching in international waters. The vessel and the crew were taken to a naval port in Sri Lanka for legal proceedings.
Fisheries Department officials stated that 398 tokens had been issued on Saturday, October 31, 2026, for fishing operations. While the crew was expected to return to the coast on Sunday evening, they were detained during their trip.
The identified fishermen are Placius, 41; Alagu Pandi, 22; Antony Pitchai, 33; Rabin, 21; Nelson, 58; Arulananda Xavier, 65; and Sahaya Anand, 34.
Fishermen leaders condemned the arrests and requested that the government secure their release quickly. One leader stated that a meeting of all coastal district fishermen associations would be held to determine future actions, noting the incident was a shock with the Deepavali festival approaching.