Prison authorities: 56 released Indian fishers in Sri Lanka to be moved to immigration detention centre
India Today
The Indian fishermen spent the isolation period in the prison run Covid-19 quarantine centre. They will now be shifted to the immigration detention centre.
The 56 Indian fishermen, released by a Sri Lankan court in the northern Jaffna peninsula last month, will be shifted to an immigration detention centre on Monday after completing their Covid quarantine period, the prison authorities said.
Prison Superintendent and Spokesman Chandana Ekanayake told PTI on Sunday that the Indian fishermen have spent the isolation period in the prison-run Covid-19 quarantine centre in Iyakkachchi in the Northern province since their release on January 25.
“Some of them were found Covid positive, now their quarantine period has ended,” Ekanayake said, adding that they would be moved to an immigration detention centre in Colombo on Monday.
A court on January 25 ordered the release of 56 Indian fishermen who were detained by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly fishing in the island nation's territorial waters in mid-December in the seas south of Mannar.
The contentious fishermen issue is certain to figure during Sri Lankan Foreign Minister GL Peiris' visit to India. He arrived in New Delhi on Sunday for talks.
The fishermen were arrested on two separate days. Their 10 trawlers have been seized.
The court's order for their release came as the Indian authorities urged Sri Lanka to release them on humanitarian grounds against the backdrop of economic assistance talks that were ongoing at the time.
