Colombo — The Indian High Commission in Colombo on Thursday denied media reports that Indian Coast Guard personnel attacked Sri Lankan fishermen at sea on January 29, 2026. In a press release it said, “On our side, we have ascertained and can confirm that no such assault was inflicted by any Indian Navy or Indian Coast Guard personnel.” The statement added that India has consistently advocated a humanitarian approach to fishermen’s livelihood concerns and that force should not be used.
Sri Lankan Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekeran said on February 2 that a protest would be lodged with the Indian government and that the Indian High Commission had been informed. Sri Lankan accounts say three trawlers with 12 fishermen sailed from the Wellamankaraya harbour at Wennappuva on January 29 and were allegedly attacked by Indian Coast Guard vessels. The Sri Lanka Navy deployed a vessel to bring ashore four fishermen said to be badly injured, and another craft recovered six more injured, Naval spokesman Buddika Sampath said.
Tyronne Mendis of the fishermen’s association said three trawlers were attacked and that two of them were inside Sri Lankan waters when the incidents occurred, and he accused the Sri Lankan Navy of being helpless to prevent the alleged attacks.
