Chief Minister MK Stalin. File | Photo credit: G. Karthikeyan
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday (January 21, 2026) wrote to Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar urging him to use appropriate diplomatic channels to prevent the arrest of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy and ensure the immediate release of all detained fishermen and their fishing boats.
In his letter, Mr. Stalin, pointing to the recent arrest of seven fishermen from Mayiladuthurai district who ventured into the sea to fish in two boats, said it was a matter of deep concern that repeated arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen and seizure of their fishing vessels by the Sri Lankan authorities continued unabated. As of today, a total of 254 fishing boats belonging to Tamil Nadu and 90 fishermen, including those detained in the latest incident, remain in custody in Sri Lanka, he said.
“These frequent and repeated arrests have caused serious hardship to the coastal fishing communities of Tamil Nadu. The prolonged detention of the fishermen and the confiscation of their boats have caused chronic economic distress, emotional trauma and ongoing anguish among their families. The cumulative impact of these incidents has deeply disrupted the social and economic fabric of these vulnerable coastal areas,” Mr Stalin said in his letter.
He called on the center to urgently deal with the matter through appropriate diplomatic channels to prevent further arrests and ensure the immediate release of all detained fishermen and their fishing boats.
Published – 21 Jan 2026 14:35 IST
