A total of 41 Sri Lankan fishermen were arrested and 82 fishing vessels seized in foreign countries between 2020 and 2026, Chief Government Whip Nalinda Jayatissa told Parliament.
The Minister disclosed the figures on October 23 in response to a question raised by Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Hector Appuhamy.
Jayatissa said two fishing vessels seized by the Maldives in 2022 had subsequently been released but had yet to be brought back to Sri Lanka.
He also said seven vessels seized by Seychelles had been destroyed.
The Minister said Sri Lankan diplomatic missions in the respective countries handled matters involving fishermen arrested and vessels seized overseas.
In some cases, the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources also provided air tickets to repatriate the fishermen, he said.
Jayatissa added that requests had been submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism to secure the release of the fishing vessels.
