Sri Lanka frees fishermen on death row

Sri Lanka has released five Indian fishermen, who were sentenced to death on charges of drug trafficking. The release was secured after  diplomatic intervention by India’s Prime Minister, Ministry Of External Affairs (MEA), Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka.
Background
Five fishermen from Rameswaram were arrested in November 2011 on charges of smuggling narcotics from India to Sri Lanka after they crossed the International Maritime Boundary Line. High court of Sri Lanka sentenced three Sri Lankans and five Indian fishermen death penalty in this case. These fishermen were caught from Rameswaram by Sri Lankan Navy in November 2011 on charges of drug smuggling in Sri Lankan waters. They were sentenced to death by Colombo High Court on 30^th October 2014.

Month: Current Affairs - November, 2014