Five Indian fishermen awarded capital punishment by a Sri Lankan Court

A court in Sri Lanka has convicted five Indian fishermen for smuggling drugs into the island nation. Arrested in 2011, the anglers have been awarded the death penalty by the local court.

With time until November 4 to file an appeal, the Indian Government too has made a statement and has reportedly said, “The Indian High Commission in Colombo will appeal through lawyer to higher court against judgement by lower court on 5 Indian fishermen.”

The fresh development could also affect the already strained India- SriLanka relations. The arrest of Indian fisherment by Sri Lankan authorities has seen widespread protest in Tamil Nadu and political parties including AIADMK and DMK have regularly raised the issue with the Centre and have also boycotted visits made by SriLankan authorities.

In the past, India and Sri Lanka have also taken a few goodwill measures to address the issue but the same could now be affected.