Pondicherry, Nov 03: PMK today said it had sought the intervention of external affairs minister Yashwant Sinha to seek the release of fishermen from Karaikal who strayed into Sri Lankan waters on October 21. PMK founder Dr S Ramadoss said he had sent fax messages to Sinha seeking his immediate intervention for the safe release of the fishermen who were in Sri Lankan custody.
In a statement, he said "the two boats being used by a total of eight fishermen from Cottucherry drifted to Sri Lankan waters due to high tide and strong winds on October 21, following which the Sri Lankan navy held them".
The family members of the fishermen represented to him and sought his intervention. Hence, he had sent the fax messages, he said adding that a message had also been sent to Sri Lankan high commissioner with a request for the safe release of the fishermen.

Ramadoss said due to the want of a fishing harbour at Karaikal, fishermen had been put to hardship.
Though the fishermen contributed Rs 70 crore to the exchequer, the territorial administration had not developed a plan for the building up of the harbour, he said. Bureau Report