Chennai: The five Indian fishermen, who were sentenced to death on charges of drug trafficking and released by the Sri Lankan court yesterday, will reach home on Thursday. They will be transferred to an Indian jail shortly upon their arrival here, as per reports.
The decision came a few days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the Sri Lankan President where they agreed to transfer the fishermen to an Indian jail. Sri Lankan Minister Senthil Thondaman said, “PM Modi spoke to President Rajapaksa and the latter decided to pardon the five Indian fishermen facing death sentence.
The five fishermen from Tamil Nadu released were Emerson, Augustus, Wilson, Prasath and Langlet.
Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao said, “This news is very heartwarming. This is because of the efforts of the Central Government. PM Modi also spoke to the Sri Lankan President sometime back.
DMK leader TKS Elangovan said, “It’s a very good thing. Our leader had already appreciated the efforts made by the Prime Minister in this regard. We are very happy.”
The appeal filed against the Colombo High Court judgment was dismissed by a two-judge Appellate Court Bench comprising of Justices Vijith K. Malalgoda and AHMD. Nawaz, after the counsel appearing for the five fishermen said they have decided to withdraw it. Sri Lanka, according to the Colombo Page web site, was exploring ways to free the Indian fishermen.
Bureau Report
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