Nagapattinam:
136 Indian fishermen, who were arrested by the Sri Lankan navy recently, returned to Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu early on Saturday morning.
The fishermen, who were put behind bars for trespassing into Lankan waters, were released on Friday after legal formalities.
Following the release, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna thanked Colombo for the support.
"Today I got the message from (Sri Lankan External Affairs Minister G L) Peiris that all the 136 fishermen have been released and Sri Lankan government has very successfully
intervened and instructed the Attorney General of Sri Lanka and his subordinates to facilitate the release," Krishna told reporters.
"I am glad that the episode has ended to our satisfaction. I would like to thank Sri Lankan government for their gesture," the Minister said.
According to a Sri Lankan defence official in Colombo, the fishermen will be escorted to Indian maritime border by the Sri Lankan Navy.
The move followed a high-level meeting between the Sri Lankan defence official and Indian diplomats in Colombo.
The return was an emotional moment for the fishing communities. People said they wish the Centre would explore possibilities of a lease agreement with Sri Lanka that would allow them to fish in Lankan waters as fish population in Indian waters has dwindled. (With PTI inputs)