Sri Lanka arrests 10 Indian fishermen

Colombo March 21 (IANS) Sri Lankan authorities on Tuesday arrested 10 Indian fishermen for poaching in its territorial waters.

The authorities also seized one trawler used by the fishermen in the waters south of Delft Island Xinhua news agency reported.

The arrests came a day after Sri Lankan Fisheries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera announced that authorities will continue arresting Indian fishermen if they do not stop illegal poaching.

Amaraweera said the government was also looking at resolving the fishing dispute in a diplomatic manner and talks would be held next month.

Fishermen in India s Tamil Nadu state had issued an ultimatum to address the dispute failing which they said the situation may spiral out of control.

The warning was issued after a Tamil Nadu fisherman was killed earlier this month by the Sri Lanka Navy.

--IANS
ksk/vt