New Delhi: India on Wednesday summoned the Sri Lankan High Commissioner and issued a demarche on the issue of 114Indian fishermen lodged in Lankan jails. Lankan High Commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam was summoned by joint secretary (BSM) Harsh Vardhan Shringla and a formal demarche was made against the large number of Indian fishermen who are in their custody, official sources said.

India's high commission in Colombo too raised this matter formally with the Lankan foreign ministry on Wednesday. "It was pointed out that the delay in release of the fishermen not only deprives them of their livelihood but also causes anxiety to their family members," the sources said. Currently, there are 114 Indian fishermen and 21 fishing boats in Sri Lankan custody held over various periods of up to two months.

The consulate general of India in Jaffna is in regular touch with the Indian fishermen who are in Sri Lankan custody and has been providing them basic necessities and medical attention whenever required. Wednesday's demarche follows the issue being previously raised by the external affairs minister with the Sri Lankan minister of economic development, Basil Rajapakse, during the latter's visit to New Delhi last month.