Maldives has released 21 Sri Lankan fishermen who were arrested in late February for trespassing in Maldivian waters.

Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) captured four Sri Lankan fishing boats trespassing in Maldives’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The first two boats were captured 103 nautical miles off HA. Kelaa and the other two were spotted while they were being escorted by the Coast Guard to HDh. Kulhudhuffushi.

Sri Lankan news website DailyMirror, cited State Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Dilip Wedaarachchi saying that 21 fishermen returned to Sri Lanka on Thursday night.

The State Minister said Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe held talks with the Maldivian authorities to get the fishermen released.