Sri Lanka yesterday released the 23 Indian fishermen arrested by Sri Lanka Navy last week and they will be on their way home soon.

The High Commission of India is making all arrangements for their return, Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said at a media briefing in New Delhi.

The fishermen are expected to reach Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu later Friday or Saturday.

Sri Lanka Navy apprehended the 23 Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu with their five trawlers for intruding into Sri Lankan waters off Mannar near Katchatheevu on July 22.

The Indian Minister of External Affairs earlier appealed to Sri Lankan authorities to release the fishermen on humanitarian grounds.

Meanwhile, in an interview with India Today, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in India Prasad Kariyawasam said clashes between Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen are happening on the high seas.

“I Appeal to Tamil Nadu fishermen not to cross into Sri Lankan waters. They should desist from illegal fishing methods and we need to ban bottom trawling which is having an impact on the marine life of Palk Straits,” the High Commissioner said.