The Government of Myanmar has granted general amnesty to 15 Sri Lankan fishermen who were sentenced to 07 years of rigorous imprisonment, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Ali Sabry announced today.
Taking to ‘X’, Minister Sabry said that the 15 Sri Lankan fishermen were taken into custody last December by Myanmar authorities.
A total of 15 Sri Lankan fishermen were arrested along with two fishing vessels for violating Myanmar’s maritime boundaries and engaging in fishing activities.
The fishermen, hailing from Kalpitiya and Negombo, set sail last November in two vessels, “Rayanputa” and “Lawrence.”
Their journey took an unexpected turn on December 2nd when they were arrested by the Myanmar authorities.
In April this year, it was reported that Sri Lanka had formally petitioned the Myanmar government for clemency on behalf of the detained Sri Lankan fishermen.
The Sri Lankan Ambassador to Myanmar, Janaka Bandara said the appeal was made anticipating Myanmar’s public amnesty day, marked on April 17.
Janaka Bandara also revealed that direct appeals had been made from the Prime Minister of Myanmar to consider granting amnesty to the Sri Lankan fishermen. (Newswire/ File Pic)