Archive · 13 Aug 2026
9 Indian Fishermen Arrested by Sri Lankan Navy Near Katchatheevu
Some fishermen from a town called Rameswaram in India went out into the sea in their boats to catch fish.
While they were fishing near a small island called Katchatheevu, the navy of a neighboring country, Sri Lanka, stopped them.
The navy arrested nine fishermen and took away their big fishing boat.
This was the third time in about a month and a half that a boat was taken.
Because of this, many fishermen were too scared to go out to sea, and fewer boats left the shore that day.
A leader of the fishermen's group, Sagayam Saveriyar, said the Indian government and the Tamil Nadu government are not doing enough.
He asked both governments to help bring the fishermen and their boat back.
He warned that fishermen may start protesting if nothing is done soon.
He also said the two countries should talk to each other to solve this problem.
Nine Indian fishermen were arrested and their mechanised boat was seized by the Sri Lankan Navy while fishing off Katchatheevu.
The seized boat belonged to local Rameswaram fisherman Wellington, according to a fishermen's association.
Saveriyar Fishermen Association President Sagayam Saveriyar said this was the third boat captured by the Sri Lankan Navy in the last one and a half months.
Only over 300 of more than 600 mechanised boats operating from Rameswaram ventured into the sea on August 12 due to fears of the Sri Lankan Navy.
Sagayam Saveriyar urged the Central and State governments to intervene for the fishermen's release and warned of protests if swift steps were not taken.
- Who
- Nine Indian fishermen, the Sri Lankan Navy, and Sagayam Saveriyar, President of the Saveriyar Fishermen Association.
- What
- Nine Indian fishermen were arrested and their mechanised boat was seized by the Sri Lankan Navy while fishing off Katchatheevu.
- When
- Reported on August 13; more than 300 boats stayed away from the sea on August 12 due to fears.
- Where
- Off Katchatheevu, near Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, India.
- Why
- Recurring detentions by the Sri Lankan Navy continue despite government assurances, prompting fishermen to demand intervention and bilateral talks.
- Fishermen arrested
- 9 Indian fishermen
- Seized boat owner
- Wellington, a local fisherman of Rameswaram
- Location of arrest
- Off Katchatheevu, near Rameswaram (Tamil Nadu)
- Report date
- August 13 (PTI)
- Boats captured in last 1.5 months
- 3
- Mechanised boats operating from Rameswaram
- More than 600
- Boats that ventured to sea on August 12
- Over 300
- Association
- Saveriyar Fishermen Association