COLOMBO, Feb 18 (UNI) The fast unto death by sixty seven Indian fishermen, who were arrested by the Sri Lankan navy five months back while illegally poaching in its territorial waters and now remanded in Jaffna prison, continued for the third day today with at least three of them in critical condition.
According to officials, the medical superintendent of prisons' reply is being sought whether to shift them to the Jaffna base hospital.
The fishermen launched their fast on Monday demanding that the cases against them be expedited and be sent back home without any further delay.
Demanding the retake of Kachchaitivu island, they said that the Government of India and Sri Lanka should enter into an agreement to formalise their fishing in troubled waters.
The lack of demarcation of international maritime border was one of the main reasons for trespassing frequently and being arrested, they added.