The Mannar Magistrate court Thursday ordered to release the 19 Indian fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy last month.

The Court has ordered to release the fishermen from Tamil Nadu arrested on March 13 along with their four mechanized boats when they were illegally fishing in the Sri Lankan waters north of Thalaimannar.

The Navy arrested the Indian fishermen and handed them over to the Thalaimannar Police for legal action.

Indian fishermen, mainly from Tamil Nadu, illegally poaching in large scale with trawlers in Sri Lanka's waters, have become a serious threat to the livelihoods of Sri Lankan fishermen and they have urged the Sri Lankan authorities to prevent the Indian fishermen from stealing their livelihood.