Sri Lanka Navy categorically denies the allegation that the SLN personnel attacked a group of thirty (30) Indian fishermen in the high seas off the coast of Rameshwaram on Thursday 28th July 2011, said a statement issued by the Sri Lankan Navy yesterday (28).

"Being a responsible naval force, SLN adheres to international maritime laws and carries out its surveillance and patrolling accordingly in the defence of Sri Lankan waters", it added.

Contrary to the allegations, Sri Lanka Navy yesterday (28) rescued an Indian fishing trawler in distress with engine defect in the waters off northern Sri Lankan island of Delft on humanitarian grounds, the statement said.

The Indian fishing crew onboard was provided with food and the defective fishing trawler bearing the registration no: TN/08/MFB/021 was towed to Delft Island by Sri Lanka Naval Ship “Wickrama II” attached to the Northern Naval Command. Measures are underway to effect repairs to the defective trawler by Naval personnel from SLN Delft Deployment prior to handing it over to the Indian Coast Guard. The timely arrival of the SLN personnel enabled to save the life of the Indian crew and their fishing vessel, the statement further added.