Aug 10, Colombo: Sri Lanka Navy in two separate incidents has arrested 12 Indian fishermen along with 3 mechanized boats for trespassing into Sri Lankan territorial waters and engaging in illegal fishing.

Sri Lanka Navy and Coast Guard patrol craft attached to the Northern Naval Command while on routine patrol, arrested the 12 fishermen Wednesday night. The three trawlers were taken into custody at 9.5, 7 and 6 nm west of the Delft Island.

The seized trawlers and fishing gear have been brought to the naval base SLNS Elara in Karainagar while the fishermen have been brought to SLNS Uththara in Kankasanthurai.

The fishermen will be handed over to the Assistant Fisheries Director in Jaffna for further legal action.

This is the second arrest of Indian fishermen within two days. The Navy arrested 49 Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu in two separate incidents on Monday and seized 12 bottom trawlers.