25 January, 2012 - Published 15:01 GMT

Fishermen released from Indian custody

Six fishermen released from the custody of Indian authorities reached home while Sri Lanka navy has arrested 43 Indian fishermen in six fishing boats for illegally entering Sri Lankan territorial waters, officials said.

The released fishermen, who were detained in Andaman islands, were arrested in March 2010, as their boat strayed into Indian waters following an engine failure.

While in detention, they told BBC's Prasad Purnamal Jayamanne, that they were assaulted by the Indian police ordering them to plead guilty of illegally entering Indian waters.

The released fishermen have expressed their gratitude to Buddhist monks who launched a fast-unto death seeking their release and the president.

Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunge Weeratunge has intervened after Bendiwewa Diyasena thero, chief incumbent of the Kalpitiya Samudrasanna Vihara, Yatimadura Manasalankara Thero and one mother of detained fishermen launched a hunger strike in October, last year.

They, however, accused the fisheries authorities of failing to take proper action to get them released.

Diyasena thero who abandoned the protest following assurances by the government later re-launched the protest accusing the authorities of failing to keep their word.