The News Minute | February 27, 2015 | 11.20 am IST

The Sri Lankan Navy has arrested 86 Indian fishermen for poaching, an official said Friday.

Navy spokesman Indika Silva said the fishermen were arrested overnight in the northern seas and their boats were also seized, Xinhua reported.

Earlier this week, India had arrested 19 Sri Lankan fishermen on the charges of trespassing into Indian waters but they were later freed.

After the new Sri Lankan government led by President Maithripala Sirisena took office, it released 81 Indian fishing boats while India also released six Sri Lankan fishermen and 17 boats as a goodwill gesture.

According to Sri Lankan fishermen, the number of Indian fishermen crossing the country's international boundary for illegal fishing had increased, reported PTI. 

With inputs from IANS