Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Sri Lankan Navy arrests 10 Tamil Nadu fishermen near Katchatheevu
Some fishermen from Tamil Nadu in India went out to sea in their boat to catch fish.
While they were near a small island called Katchatheevu, sailors from the Sri Lankan Navy stopped them.
The navy arrested all ten fishermen on the boat because Sri Lanka said they had crossed an invisible line into its waters.
The fishermen were taken to a naval port in Sri Lanka.
People expected them to appear before a judge the next day.
Just five days earlier, nine other fishermen had also been arrested near another island.
After that earlier arrest, some fishermen stayed home from the sea for a day to protest.
Families are worried and upset because they say these repeated arrests make it hard for fishermen to earn a living.
The fishermen are asking the governments to talk to Sri Lanka and help bring the arrested men and their boat home.
A Tamil Nadu minister said talks are happening and he plans to visit Delhi to speak to India's External Affairs Minister about the problem.
Ten Tamil Nadu fishermen were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy near Katchatheevu on allegations of crossing the maritime boundary and fishing in Sri Lankan waters.
The seized mechanised boat was owned by Wellington of Rajan Nagar, Thangachimadam, and was intercepted late Wednesday night after 297 trawlers had set out from the Rameswaram fishing jetty.
The fishermen, aged 25 to 55 and from Rameswaram, Pamban, Virudhunagar and Thangachimadam, were taken to the Talaimannar naval port and expected before a Sri Lankan court on Thursday.
The arrest came five days after nine fishermen were detained near Neduntheevu, prompting Rameswaram fishermen to stay away from the sea for a day in protest.
Fishermen leader Jesu Raja accused the Union and Tamil Nadu governments of failing to find a permanent solution, while Tamil Nadu Minister Srinath said talks were underway and he would visit Delhi to meet the External Affairs Minister.
Tamil Nadu Minister Srinath said talks were underway and that he would visit Delhi next week to meet the External Affairs Minister over the arrests.
- Who
- Ten fishermen from Rameswaram, Pamban, Virudhunagar and Thangachimadam in Tamil Nadu, aged 25 to 55, arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy.
- What
- The Sri Lankan Navy arrested the fishermen and seized their mechanised boat near Katchatheevu on allegations of crossing the maritime boundary and fishing in Sri Lankan waters; the fishermen's community protested and demanded diplomatic intervention.
- When
- Late Wednesday night, with the fishermen expected before a Sri Lankan court on Thursday; the arrest followed the detention of nine fishermen five days earlier.
- Where
- Near Katchatheevu in the Palk Bay, with the fishermen taken to the Talaimannar naval port in Sri Lanka.
- Why
- Sri Lankan authorities allege the fishermen crossed the maritime boundary and fished in Sri Lankan waters, while fishermen's leaders say repeated arrests have severely affected livelihoods and demand a permanent solution.
Fishermen and community representatives
Sri Lankan Navy and authorities
Crossing the maritime boundary
Fishermen and community representatives
Fishermen say repeated arrests and boat seizures in the Palk Bay have severely affected their livelihoods, leaving families under financial and emotional strain, and urge diplomatic intervention.
Sri Lankan Navy and authorities
The Sri Lankan Navy alleges the 10 fishermen crossed the maritime boundary and were fishing in Sri Lankan waters near Katchatheevu.
Ending recurring arrests
Fishermen and community representatives
Fishermen leader Jesu Raja accused the Union and Tamil Nadu governments of failing to find a permanent solution and of acting as 'mute spectators' to the community's hardship.
Sri Lankan Navy and authorities
Sri Lankan authorities are proceeding through the legal process, taking the fishermen to the Talaimannar naval port and producing them before a Sri Lankan court.
- Number arrested
- 10 fishermen, aged 25 to 55
- Location of interception
- Near Katchatheevu, Palk Bay
- Allegation
- Crossing the maritime boundary and fishing in Sri Lankan waters
- Boat owner
- Wellington of Rajan Nagar, Thangachimadam
- Trawlers that set out
- 297 mechanised trawlers from the Rameswaram fishing jetty
- Itinerary
- Taken to Talaimannar naval port; expected before a Sri Lankan court on Thursday
- Earlier arrest
- Nine fishermen arrested five days earlier near Neduntheevu
- Community protest
- Rameswaram fishermen stayed away from the sea for a day after the earlier arrest
