96 Indian fishermen released by Sri Lanka

Colombo: Sri Lanka on Saturday handed over to India 96 Indian fishermen who were arrested for allegedly poaching into the country's territorial waters, the military said.

The Sri Lankan navy assisted the repatriation of the Indian fishermen by providing them safe passage onboard Sri Lanka Naval Ship Ranavijaya and Sri Lanka Coast Guard Vessel CG 43, the Lankan navy said in a statement.

The fishermen were handed over to the Indian Coast Guard ships Rani Durgavathi and Abheek at the International Maritime Boundary Line off Kankesanthurai.

The navy said nine Lankan fishermen held by India were also handed over to it at the same location.