Sri Lanka to release all Indian fishermen in its custody

Colombo, 25 May, 2014

After Pakistan, now Sri Lanka has announced release of Indian fishermen from country’s prisons. While Pakistan has released limited number of Indian fishermen, Sri Lanka according to PTI report has decided to release all Indian fishermen.

Ahead of his visit to New Delhi to attend Modi’s swearing-in ceremony tomorrow, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa ordered the release of all Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan custody as a goodwill measure to mark the swearing-in of Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi.

This is the second instance when Sri Lanka is releasing Indian fishermen arrested by Sri Lankan Navy for poaching.

In March, Rajapaksa had ordered the release of arrested fishermen after India abstained from voting on an anti-Sri Lanka motion at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. India was one of the 12 nations that abstained from voting on the UNHRC resolution, which prescribed an international probe into Sri Lanka’s alleged rights abuses.

India had previously backed two similar resolutions against Sri Lanka moved by the United States. Sri Lankan fisheries ministry officials, however, could not indicate the number of Indian fishermen currently in detention. Sri Lanka’s relation with India had soured during the government led by Congress. Analysts here say Rajapaksa appears very keen to mend ties with his neighbor with the advent of Modi.

As a goodwill measure on the occasion of @narendramodi's swearing-in, President instructs officials to release Indian fishermen in custody.

— Mahinda Rajapaksa (@PresRajapaksa) May 25, 2014

Reactions on social media:

Why are poor fishermen used as political pawn by sri lanka, time 4 India to flex military muscle

Vaazhthukkal. Nandri. Congrats. Thanks. @narendramodi (PS: Hope political traders of #TN see +ve effects of meeting & change)

We have been in historic cultural relations wd tamils as the bridging force.Its a gud time to b on right track

INDIA should have issue any sort of identification to avoid future problem @jinay_76

Big breakthrough Modi’s Diplomacy….. great start

itz a good welcomeing initiative by srilankan govt…#Namo4pm

whether poor indian fishermen is detained for releasing on certain specific occasions ?

This is the power of Modi. Now lets wait & see when Dawood gets killed by RAW & IB

Now people protesting against invite to SAARC leaders by PM must understand the benefits to all.

Thankyou Mr. President. We Indians appreciate your goodwill gesture . Welcome to India.

good gesture…Hope things move in right direction from here

Hope fishermen b treated as fishermen not terrorists. SL, India shall issue biometric IDs 2 avoid such arrests

Oh Grt hope Yu won’t arrest them n future and Wat abt facing war crime charge