The government has said that 77 contractual workers stranded in Sri Lanka are "not being held captive" but are caught in a labour dispute with the private steel company they work for.
"They're not being held captive, they're facing labour issues. I assure you we're in constant touch with the company and the men will be back in India within 24 to 48 hours," said External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin.
