Ranjit Mahanti
THE Colombo High Court in Sri Lanka on Friday announced to five Indian fishermen the death penalty for alleged drug trafficking. The all fishermen hailing from Tamil Nadu and they had been arrested on a boat in the seas off northern Jaffna’s Delft islet.
According to media reports the all fishermen were apprehended in 2011 by the Sri Lankan Navy on charges of smuggling of heroin. Three Sri Lankan have been also awarded same sentences.
High Court judge Preethi Padman Surasena passed the judgment for involvement in heroin trafficking between India and Sri Lanka in 2011.
However, Indian government to appeal to a higher court against the judgment passed by the Colombo High Court which held them guilty of drug trafficking. The Indian government maintains that it has done due diligence and found them to be innocent.
Speaking to media, Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said, “India’s High Commission in Colombo will appeal to higher court against the judgement by the lower court against these five Indian fishermen.”