30 Indian fishermen repatriated from Sri Lanka

Today, the Indian High Commission in Colombo announced that 30 Indian fishermen were sent back to their home country from Sri Lanka. The group is now on their way home, according to officials. A post on X from the Indian High Commission stated, “30 Indian fishermen were repatriated from Sri Lanka today and are on their way home.” The Sri Lanka Navy reported that, up until April 2026, they had seized 15 fishing trawlers and arrested 102 Indian fishermen. In 2025, they detained 346 fishermen using 44 trawlers for poaching in Sri Lankan waters. Navy Spokesman Commander Buddika Sampath mentioned to PTI that he was unsure which group the 30 fishermen belonged to, noting, “It depends on the court procedure.” The issue of fishermen has caused tensions between India and Sri Lanka due to the ongoing arrests of Indian fishermen for poaching in Sri Lankan waters.