Cash-strapped Sri Lankan Court has asked 13 Indian fishermen to pay Rs 1 crore each for bail despite India’s $2BN aid offer. Despite Indian government rolling out several aid to Sri Lanka during economic crisis, the Sri Lankan court has demanded a personal bond of LKR of 2CR to release Indian fishermen.
12 Fishermen were apprehended by Sri Lankan Navy on March 23 for crossing border lines for fishing. The Fishermen are currently kept in the Jaffna prison. The case has also been adjourned May 12.
Tamil Nadu Chief minister MK Stalin has also written to Minister of External Affairs minister S Jaishankar regarding the matter, urging the government to provide legal support and assistance for the fishermen. Opposition leader O Panner Selvam has also condemned the Sri Lankan court for the 1 CR bail amount. He said that if the fishermen are able to pay 1 crore, they would not risk themselves in fishing.
India has provided $ 1.9 billion aid to Sri Lanka in the form of credits for essential commodities and fuel, and also in loans and currency swaps, apart from food grains and other necessary resources.
