Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Misri in Colombo Seeks Early Release of Detained Indian Fishermen
India and Sri Lanka are neighbors, and between them lies a narrow stretch of sea called the Palk Strait.
Fishermen from both countries catch fish in these waters.
Sometimes, fishermen accidentally sail into the other country's waters without meaning to.
When Indian fishermen do this, Sri Lanka's navy may arrest them and take away their boats.
Fishing is how many of these families earn a living, so this causes real hardship.
A senior Indian official named Vikram Misri traveled to Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo, to discuss the problem.
He met Sri Lanka's president, prime minister, and other top leaders.
He asked them to let the Indian fishermen and their boats return home soon.
He also said the countries should treat this issue with kindness and understanding.
The leaders are continuing to talk so they can find a fair solution for everyone.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri made a day-long official visit to Colombo, his first stand-alone visit to Sri Lanka.
He met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath and Foreign Secretary Aruni Ranaraja.
India requested Sri Lanka's cooperation for the early release of Indian fishermen and boats detained in the island nation.
India urged that a humanitarian approach, keeping in view fishermen's livelihood needs, guide handling of the issue as bilateral mechanisms continue.
Official data shows 128 Indian fishermen were arrested and 18 trawlers seized by the Sri Lankan Navy this year as of April 15; nine fishermen were arrested in late July.
- Who
- Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri; Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath and Foreign Secretary Aruni Ranaraja.
- What
- India sought Sri Lanka's cooperation for the early release of detained Indian fishermen and their boats, urging a humanitarian approach to the long-pending issue.
- When
- August 5, during a day-long official visit to Colombo.
- Where
- Colombo, Sri Lanka; the dispute concerns the Palk Strait, which separates Tamil Nadu from Sri Lanka.
- Why
- The fishermen issue is contentious in India-Sri Lanka ties, and fishing in the Palk Strait is vital for the livelihoods of fishermen from both countries.
India's Position
Sri Lanka's Position
Release of detained fishermen
India's Position
India requested Sri Lanka's cooperation for the early release of fishermen and boats and urged that a humanitarian approach, keeping in view the livelihood requirements of fishermen, guide the handling of the issue.
Sri Lanka's Position
Sri Lankan authorities have arrested and seized boats of Indian fishermen over alleged illegal entry into Sri Lankan territorial waters and alleged poaching, with the navy having fired at Indian fishermen in past incidents.
Fishing in the Palk Strait
India's Position
Indian fishermen regard the Palk Strait as a rich fishing ground and are frequently arrested for inadvertently trespassing into Sri Lankan waters, hurting their livelihoods.
Sri Lanka's Position
Sri Lanka's navy treats such crossings as incidents of illegally entering its territorial waters and has seized boats and even fired at Indian fishermen.
- Visiting official
- Vikram Misri, India's Foreign Secretary
- Visit
- Day-long official visit to Colombo, August 5
- Sri Lankan leaders met
- President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, PM Harini Amarasuriya, FM Vijitha Herath, Foreign Secretary Aruni Ranaraja
- Key request
- Early release of Indian fishermen and boats detained in Sri Lanka
- Guiding principle sought
- Humanitarian approach keeping in view fishermen's livelihood requirements
- Disputed waterway
- Palk Strait, separating Tamil Nadu from Sri Lanka
- Recent incident
- Nine Indian fishermen arrested and a trawler seized in late July
- Arrest data (this year, as of April 15)
- 128 Indian fishermen arrested; 18 trawlers seized by Sri Lankan Navy