Sri Lanka Navy assisted in the repatriation of 22 Sri Lankan and 26 Indian fishermen on 23 rd May 2013.
The Sri Lankan fishermen along with their fishing boats named “Mangala”, “Pradeep”, “Shrimali” and “Kapila Putha” were taken over from the Indian Coast Guard Ship “Rani Abbakka” at the International Maritime Boundary Line off Kankasanthurai by Sri Lanka Naval Vessel Abeetha II and P 450 attached to the Northern Naval Command.
Meanwhile, 26 Indian fishermen and 5 Indian fishing trawlers, which had been in Sri Lankan custody, were also handed over to ICGS “Rani Abbakka”.
[mappress] Press Release, May 24, 2013; Image: Sri Lanka Navy