Eight Indian fishermen, who were released from a Sri Lankan prison, arrived at Chennai Airport this morning.

They were among nine fishermen from Rameswaram who were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy on October 3 for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line. They were later imprisoned in Jaffna. The ninth fisherman, who was the boat’s captain, has been sentenced to three months in prison for a repeat offence.

Following intervention by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Tamil Nadu Government, the Sri Lankan authorities released the eight fishermen on October 30 and handed them over to Indian officials.

After completing travel formalities, they were flown to India. The State Fisheries Department has made arrangements to send them to their native places.