Lankan court orders release of ten TN fishermen

A court in Sri Lanka on Monday ordered the release of ten Tamil Nadu fishermen who were taken into custody by Lankan naval men on July 1, a top official said.

The fishermen and their boats would be handed over to the Indian Coast Guard at the International Maritime boundary line on Monday or Tuesday, Assistant Director of Fisheries A Karithikeyan told newsmen.

The fishermen had strayed into the Lankan waters due to strong winds and rough sea.

Mannar Judicial Magistrate Anthony Pillai Jutesen warned the fishermen to be careful in the future before ordering their release, he said.