Ramanathapuram, Mar 25:
Two fishermen from Rameswaram, who were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly crossing the international maritime boundary, have been released on condition by a Sri Lankan court.
The Kilinochchi court, while sentencing them to 10 years in prison on Tuesday, suspended the term for five years, warning that any repeat offence would result in a five-year jail sentence.
The fishermen were detained on March 12 while fishing in a mechanised boat and were lodged in Vavuniya prison. They appeared before the court for the third time before being granted the conditional release. Judge Krishanthan emphasized that the suspended sentence would be enforced if they were found violating the maritime boundaries again.
Following the court’s order, the fishermen were temporarily accommodated at a camp in the Marikkar area before being handed over to the Indian Deputy High Commission. Arrangements are being made for their return to Tamil Nadu by flight, bringing relief to their families and local fishing communities.