22 Indian fishermen from T.N. arrested by Sri Lankan Navy

Sri Lankan Navy personnel arrested 22 fishermen from Rameswaram and Mandapam near Katchatheevu and Neduntheevu islets on Thursday, February 19, 2026. Four ships were also seized.

According to initial reports, Fisheries Department officials received information that 18 fishermen were caught near Katchatheevu islet and four fishermen were caught near Neduntheevu islet. The 22 fishermen, along with their boats, were taken to two different sea ports in Sri Lanka for questioning.

Fishermen from Rameswaram and Mandapam are said to have set sail on Wednesday, February 18. They were expected to return to shore around noon on Thursday.

But while they were fishing near Katchatheevu and Neduntheevu islets, surveillance teams of the Sri Lanka Navy caught them around 3 am and detained them for questioning at the sea ports of Talaimannar and Karai Nagar.

There was shock and anger when the news reached their home in Tamil Nadu. Their families condemned the incident and demanded the immediate release of the fishermen and their boats.

Meanwhile, fishermen’s associations in Ramanathapuram district are expected to hold an emergency meeting at Thangachimadam at 11 am.

The famous St. Petersburg in Katchatheevu. With the two-day festival scheduled to be held on February 27 and 28 at the Church of St. Antony and attended by more than 3,000 pilgrims from India, such an event has upset the fishing communities here.