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Sri Lankan fishermen detained in Maldives to be released

Shahudha Mohamed
09 May 2019, MVT 11:37
Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid and Ambassador to Sri Lanka Umar Razzaq (R) meeting with Sri Lanka's former President Mahinda Rajapaksa (L). PHOTO: FOREIGN MINISTRY
Shahudha Mohamed
09 May 2019, MVT 11:37

Former President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa, on Wednesday, revealed that the Maldivian government decided to release four Sri Lankan fishing boats that were seized by authorities, along with the fishermen held in custody.

Rajapaksa made this statement in a tweet, following a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid during his official visit to Sri Lanka.

Additionally, Rajapaksa noted that President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and the people of Maldives conveyed their condolences regarding the terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka on April 21.

Tweet by former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The government has yet to disclose details about the boats or the fishermen mentioned in Rajapaksa's tweet. However, the Coast Guard, on February 1, seized four Sri Lankan fishing boats operating illegally in the economic zone of Maldives.

The four fishing boats were found off the coast of Kelaa, Haa Alif Atoll.

In the past, many vessels have been captured for illegal fishing in Maldivian waters. A large number of these vessels belonged to Sri Lanka.

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