Senior CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury on Wednesday welcomed the Sri Lankan Government's decision to pardon five Indian fishermen sentenced to death for drug smuggling in the island nation.

"We have told the Government of India earlier as well that they need to save the lives of these fishermen by using all the diplomatic techniques," said Yechury.

"Now, our Prime Minister will go for the SAARC Summit. There he will talk regarding relations with Sri Lanka," he added.

Sri Lankan Minister Prabha Ganesan, who disclosed his government's move in this regard, told Indian High Commission officials in Colombo that India has to withdraw the appeal filed in the Supreme Court against the High Court verdict for this to happen. (ANI)