Feb 26, Colombo: Sri Lanka Fisheries Ministry media spokesman said that 21 fishermen who had been arrested by the Indian Coast Guard on charges of trespassing into the Indian waters and poaching have been released.

The released fishermen are expected to return to the island Wednesday (27).

Four fishing vessels seized by the Indian security have also been released with the fishermen.

Indian Coast Guard has taken measures to hand over the fishermen and their vessels to the Sri Lanka Navy at the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) off Kankasanthurai.

Indian Coast Guard unit on patrol off Krishnapet near Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, north of Chennai, arrested the fishermen on January 18. They were detained along with their four boats and equipment and brought to Chennai.

The Sri Lankans were produced before a court in Egmore and remanded them at the Puzhal prison for 15 days.