Chennai: M.K. Stalin, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, today requested External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar to use diplomatic channels to secure the release of 56 Sri Lankan fishermen and their 75 boats.

In a Demi-Official letter to Dr. Jaishankar, he expressed gratitude for the release of 12 fishermen and requested that, in light of the upcoming Pongal festival, which begins on January 13, every effort be made to ensure that the remaining 56 fishermen are released so that they can reunite with their families for the traditional Tamil festival.

"I request that you use appropriate diplomatic channels to persuade the Sri Lankan government to free them," he said.  Stalin also expressed his thanks to the Union Government for gaining the release of 12 Tamil Nadu fisherman, noting that 56 Tamil Nadu fishermen had been held in Sri Lankan prisons from December 19 and 20, 2021.

"It is demanded that concentrated efforts be made to expedite their release and safe transportation to India," he wrote, adding that 75 fishing boats belonging to Tamil Nadu fishermen remain in Sri Lankan custody and must be retrieved as soon as possible because they are vital to their livelihood.

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