Slamming DMK chief M Karunanidhi for his dubious stand on the fishermen issue, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, on Saturday, said that following a slew measures initiated by her, Tamil Nadu fishermen languishing in Sri Lankan jails will be released within the next “one or two days”.

The Centre has indicated that from January 13, the Sri Lankan government will take measures to release Tamil Nadu fishermen from its prisons. In a reciprocal gesture, the Centre has requested Tamil Nadu to initiate measures to release 179 Sri Lankan fishermen lodged in jails in the State. Orders have been issued to officials to take efforts on this front, she said.

In an official statement here, Jayalalithaa said following a request made by fisherfolk associations, she wrote a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for facilitating a meet between members of fishing communities from Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka in December.

In the letter on September 20, she told the PM that the meet could be held in Chennai and urged him to direct authorities concerned to provide necessary clearances. Also, she requested that the names of those who would participate on behalf of the Lankan fishing community be sent to the State government beforehand.

On December 23, the State government sent a letter to the Centre indicating that the meeting could be arranged in Chennai on January 20.(Indian Express)