Archive · 7 Aug 2026
Sri Lankan Navy Arrests 11 Indian Fishermen for IMBL Crossing
Some Indian fishermen were out at sea when their boat broke down and got stuck near an island called Neduntheevu.
A navy from a nearby country, Sri Lanka, found them and took them into custody.
The navy says the fishermen crossed an invisible line in the ocean between the two countries.
The leader of the fishermen's home state, Tamil Nadu, was upset about this.
He wrote a letter to India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, asking for help.
He wants the fishermen and their boat to be brought back home safely.
This has happened many times before, and fishing families are worried about their jobs.
The leader also asked both countries to talk to each other again to solve this problem.
Everyone hopes the fishermen will be able to come home soon.
The Sri Lankan Navy arrested 11 Indian fishermen from Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu, on August 6 for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
The fishermen's mechanised fishing boat had run aground near the shore of Neduntheevu due to a mechanical failure.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay wrote to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar seeking his personal intervention in the matter.
Vijay requested the early release and safe repatriation of the fishermen along with the release of their fishing boat.
He urged the revival of bilateral dialogues through the Joint Working Group (JWG) to address recurring arrests affecting the Palk Bay fishing community.
- Who
- 11 Indian fishermen from Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu; the Sri Lankan Navy; Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay; and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
- What
- The fishermen and their mechanised boat were apprehended for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) after the boat ran aground near Neduntheevu.
- When
- August 6.
- Where
- Near the shore of Neduntheevu, in the Palk Bay region; the fishermen hail from Tamil Nadu, India.
- Why
- The Sri Lankan Navy alleged the fishermen violated the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
Indian Fishermen & Tamil Nadu Government
Sri Lankan Navy
Reason for Apprehension
Indian Fishermen & Tamil Nadu Government
The boat ran aground near Neduntheevu due to a mechanical failure, indicating the incident was accidental rather than a deliberate boundary crossing.
Sri Lankan Navy
The Sri Lankan Navy arrested the fishermen for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
Recurring Arrests and Livelihoods
Indian Fishermen & Tamil Nadu Government
Recurring arrests cause deep anguish among the fishing community, disrupting livelihoods and creating uncertainty for those dependent on the Palk Bay for their sustenance.
Sri Lankan Navy
The Sri Lankan Navy continues to enforce the maritime boundary by detaining fishermen accused of crossing the IMBL.
- Number of fishermen arrested
- 11
- Home district
- Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu, India
- Date of arrest
- August 6
- Apprehending agency
- Sri Lankan Navy
- Allegation
- Crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL)
- Incident detail
- Boat ran aground near Neduntheevu due to mechanical failure
- Action taken
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister wrote to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar seeking intervention
- Requested measures
- Early release and safe repatriation of fishermen, return of boat, revival of JWG bilateral dialogues
