Mechanised boat fishermen on strike

About 50,000 mechanised boat fishermen of this island today launched an indefinite strike pressing their demands, including steps to secure the release of 16 fishermen and three boats, detained by Sri Lankan Navy.
The striking fishermen attached to more than 800 boats also demanded that the Centre take steps to allow them to fish in their traditional areas, association functionaries T Sesuraja, S Emerit and Sagayaraj said.
The fishermen and the boats were arrested by Sri Lankan Navy on September 1.