Sun Jul 13 10:42:16 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Seven Indian fishermen from Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy on July 13, 2025, for allegedly violating the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). Their trawler was also detained. Another Indian trawler was damaged by a Sri Lankan Navy patrol boat, but the seven fishermen on board managed to return safely.

**News Article:**

**Sri Lankan Navy Arrests Seven Indian Fishermen, Damages Trawler**

**RAMESWARAM, July 13, 2025** – Tensions flared again in the Palk Strait as the Sri Lankan Navy arrested seven Indian fishermen from Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, early Sunday morning. The fishermen were apprehended for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and fishing in Sri Lankan waters. Their trawler has been detained.

According to local police, the arrested fishermen have been identified as B. Ruther (40), P. Edison (48), and M. Jegadeesh (42) from Thangachimadam; A. Shanmugam (56) and F. Dalvin Raj (42) from Rameswaram; M. Sakthivel (43) from Keerathurai, Madurai; and Anbalagan. They have been transported to the Kankesanthurai port before being lodged in Jaffna prison.

Adding to the tensions, another Indian trawler, belonging to Maria Seeron, sustained damage after an encounter with a Sri Lankan Navy patrol boat in the vicinity of Katchatheevu and Neduntheevu. Fisheries Department sources stated that the patrol boat collided with the trawler while attempting to question the fishermen. Despite the damage, the seven fishermen aboard – Stalin, Muneeswaran, Viyakulam, Columbus, Nagesh, Stephen, and Sarathkumar – were able to safely return to the Rameswaram fishing jetty.

The incident is likely to raise concerns among fishing communities on both sides of the Palk Strait and potentially strain diplomatic relations between India and Sri Lanka. Further investigations are underway.

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