SRI LANKA COAST GUARD FACILITATED REPATRIATION OF SRI LANKAN FISHERMEN FROM INDIA

Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG) ship Suraksha facilitated repatriation of two Sri Lankan Fishing Vessels (SLFV) along with its crew who were under the custody of Indian Coast Guard. The fishing vessels and fishermen repatriated by Indian Coast Guard (ICG) were taken at India- Sri Lanka International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and taken back to the Dikovita Fishery Harbour on 10th March 2021.

Two fishing vessels returned after month long fishing had been taken under the custody of Indian Coast Guard with SLFV Akarsha Duwa which is under the custody of Indian Coast Guard on the suspicion transshipping narcotics from Arabian sea.The fishing vessels released after an investigation by Indian Authorities were escorted by ICG ship Varaha (CG41) up to the IMBL and hand over to SLCG ship Suraksha (CG60) officially.Thereupon SLFVs were closely escorted up to Dikovita fishery harbor by SLCGS Suraksha (CG60) and subsequently handed over to port health officials for onward actions.