COLOMBO, 5 May, 2021 (TON): Sri Lankan Navy apprehended 86 Indians on board 11 fishing boats while they were trying to illegally enter its waters, amidst enhanced vigilance against the spread of the coronavirus pandemic in the island nation.

Earlier, the Sri Lankan Navy said it has deployed additional naval units to patrol the northern and western sea waters to prevent the illegal entry of migrants, including from India, which could heighten the coronavirus outbreak in the country.

The announcement comes as military personnel apprehended 21 Indian nationals on four Indian boats for allegedly trying to enter the island nation in the last fortnight.

“By virtue of special patrols being conducted in the sea area close to the Palk Strait these days to prevent illegal immigrants from entering Sri Lankan waters, the Navy was able to prevent 11 Indian fishing vessels with 86 individuals, from their suspicious attempt to enter into Sri Lankan waters," the Navy said in a statement.

The Sri Lankan Navy said it has increased patrol along the island’s north and north-western coasts to prevent “illegal migration”.

The Indian High Commission said there were “a few boats with Indian fishermen near IMBL which were stopped by Sri Lankan Navy when they inadvertently drifted towards Sri Lanka”.

The Navy has urged the local fishing community to remain vigilant and refrain from having any contact with foreign fishing vessels at sea and to provide information on any smuggling groups.

Fishing dispute have been a constant area of concern between India and Sri Lanka. Illegal fishing by Indian fishermen within territorial waters of Sri Lanka is on regular basis. However,

Sri Lanka’s government patrol vigilantly on the International Maritime Boundary Line and capture Indian trawl boats and fishers.