REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, COLOMBO -- The Sri Lanka navy arrested 26 Indian fishermen and also seized three Indian fishing trawlers for poaching in Sri Lankan waters, the navy media unit said on Sunday.

The navy said that the Indians had been arrested in the seas northern Point Pedro seas late on Saturday and they were brought ashore on Sunday.

The arrested fishermen and trawlers were brought to the Kankasanthurai harbor in the north of the country and handed over to the officials of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Kankasanthurai.

Indian fishermen continue to poach in Sri Lankan waters despite warnings from Sri Lanka that they will be arrested.

Earlier this month the navy arrested 14 Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters in the northern seas.

The government said last month that Sri Lanka and India will, in the spirit of goodwill and understanding that exists, continue to engage in dialogue on the fishermen issue, to seek satisfactory short-term and long-term solutions.

Sri Lanka said it recognizes that the issue of Indian fishermen fishing in Sri Lankan waters is one that requires the careful attention of the authorities on both sides, especially in view of the impact on livelihoods of both Sri Lankan fishermen in the North of the country as well as Indian fishermen.

The matter of Indian fishermen apprehended in Sri Lankan waters is approached from a humanitarian perspective in view of the livelihood dimension involved, it said.

Consultations between the two governments on these issues have taken place at various levels over time and discussions are continuing.

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