Sri Lankan government will release 78 Indian fishermen: Mahinda Rajapaksa

New Delhi: The Sri Lankan government on Monday said that it will release 78 Indian fishermen who were arrested by the Navy for illegally poaching in Sri Lanka's waters on Saturday. The move came a day after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding action against the Mahinda Rajapaksa government and also to find a permanent solution to the problem.

Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa tweeted, "On the occasion of the 1st joint sitting of Indian Parliament, I have instructed officials to release the 78 Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan custody."

He added, "I look forward to the release of all remaining Sri Lankan fishermen in Indian custody at the earliest."

Jayalalithaa had said that India must deal decisively with the government of Sri Lanka and even proposed the retrival of the Katchatheevu islet from the island nation. She had said that it was time for India to develop a sound action plan to deter such actions of the Sri Lankan government.

In her letter to Modi, Jayalalithaa had cited the arrest of 82 fishermen by Lankan Navy in two separate incidents and said, "As an immediate measure, I request you to kindly ensure that India registers the strongest disapproval of the belligerent actions of the Sri Lankan Navy."