SLN arrests fisherman in Kayts

[TamilNet, Thursday, 17 May 2007, 19:10 GMT]
Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) Kayts Coast Guards arrested a fisherman who after his boat had capsized in Mannar (Mannaar) sea, fought for his life for two days, and swam back to the shore at Veala'nai, Ma'ndaitheevu, Wednesday, fisheries sources in the islets said.

The fisherman, F. Denistus Miranda, 33, a father of five from Ward 8, Peasaalai in Mannaar, had as usual gone fishing Monday in Peasaalai sea where he was thrown over board in storm.

After being handed over to Kayts police and then the courts, suspicion was raised regarding his identity.

Miranda told the magistrate that SLN at Peasaalai allow fishermen to fish only after they surrender their National Identity Cards to the SLN and hence he was not in possession of his NIC.

He was reunited with his family in Peasaalai. 13 fishermen had earlier gone missing on Peasaalai seas, sources said.