Seventeen Indian fishermen found poaching in Sri Lankan waters had been arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy in the seas off Talaimannar last night, the Navy said.

Navy Spokesman Commander Kosala Warnakulasuriya said three fishing vessels had also been seized along with the fishermen.

He said the fishermen venturing into Sri Lankan waters had violated the International Maritime Boundary Line and were using the illegal method of bottom trawling.

 “The fishermen together with their trawlers would be handed over to the fisheries authorities in Talaimannar for legal action,” he said.(DS)