CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced a compensation package worth Rs 5 lakh for owners of mechanised boats and Rs 1.5 lakh for owners of country boats being held by Sri Lankan authorities. On Friday evening, the Chief Minister's office made the news.

Sri Lankans currently have custody of at least 128 mechanised boats and 17 rural boats.

Stalin also announced a compensation package worth Rs 5.66 crore for the 105 fishing boats and equipment that were damaged during the Northeast monsoon. 

S. Bharathi, the leader of the state fisherman's organisation, said the state government's statement is a big boost for the state's embattled fishermen, who are being pursued by the Sri Lankan Navy and police on spurious accusations.

Five fisherman, including Naval officers, died in an attack by Sri Lankan government in 2021. Sixty-eight fisherman have been detained, with 15 recently freed from prison. The remaining 55 fishermen remain imprisoned in Sri Lankan prisons.

The Union Ministry of External Affairs has already begun diplomatic talks with Sri Lankan authorities about the arrest of Indian fishermen and the complaints made by fishermen from Rameswaram, Mandapam, and other parts of Tamil Nadu who were having difficulties in the sea near Katchatheevu Island and the International Marine Boundary Line.

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