Fishermen from Rameswaram and Pudukottai who are on a strike demanding the release of Tamil fishermen and boats seized by the Lankan Navy took strong objection to Sri Lankan Minister Douglas Devananda’s comments that the captured boats would be sold off.

69 fishermen from Pudukottai and Ramanathapuram were arrested by the Lankan Navy between Saturday and Monday and 10 boats were seized.

Fishermen who are in protest stated if those who have been arrested are not released by December 31, they will hold a rail roko at Thangachimadam.

The fishermen also condemned the comments of Douglas Devananda, the Fisheries Minister for Srilanka, who had stated that action would be taken against fishermen who cross the border and their boats would be seized.

Douglas Devananda, who visited Myliddy port in Srilanka where the seized boats are located, requested Tamilnadu fishermen not to enter their waters. He also claimed that the boats would be sold at auction and the money would be given to Northern Province fishermen.

“Our Northern Province fishermen’s nets have been damaged and have sought compensation. Soon these nationalized boats will be sold in a tender scheme and the money will be given to them,” said the Minister.