11 fishermen apprehended by Sri Lankan Navy near Needuntheevu islet
Eleven fishermen from India were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy near Neduntheevu islet for alleged poaching. Local fishermen's associations are calling for government intervention to secure their release and address registration issues for modified vessels.
Why it matters
It highlights ongoing diplomatic and livelihood tensions between Indian fishermen and Sri Lankan maritime authorities.
Eleven fishermen from Rameswaram, Pamban, Thangachimadam, and Kerala were apprehended by Sri Lankan Navy personnel on the Neduntheevu islet on charges of poaching in the early hours of Thursday (August 6, 2026).
According to information from the Fisheries Department officials, 434 tokens were issued to fishermen on Wednesday (August 5) from the Rameswaram jetty.
The 11 fishermen were fishing in a fibre boat owned by Ramesh, which was reportedly an unregistered trawler. The trawler developed a technical snag and went out of control, drifting towards the Neduntheevu islet.
The officials said that the fishermen were detained and taken to a naval port in Sri Lanka by the surveillance team of the Sri Lankan Navy.
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