Chennai, February 14 Chief Minister M K Stalin on Saturday urged the Centre to take necessary steps to expedite the return of Tamil Nadu fishermen released by a Sri Lankan court but currently held at the Mirihana Detention Centre.
A Sri Lankan court ordered the release of nine fishermen who were apprehended by the Sri Lankan navy in January.
The Jaffna court tried a total of 12 fishermen on February 3, including three from Mandapam, who were taken into custody on December 28, 2025, and nine from Mayiladuthurai, apprehended on January 3, he said in a letter to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
Following the court proceedings, three boat drivers were sentenced to six months of rigorous imprisonment, and each was fined 11.60 lakh Sri Lankan rupees, with an additional three months in prison if the fine is not paid.
The remaining nine fishermen were ordered to be released and were subsequently transferred to the Mirihana Detention Centre on February 5. "However, they continue to remain in custody due to delays in completing the repatriation formalities," the chief minister said in the letter.
"Given the hardships faced by the fishermen and the distress of their families, I request that urgent steps be taken to expedite the return of the released fishermen at the earliest," Stalin said.