Six Sri Lankan fishermen who had been detained in Bangladesh since July 2025 have been released and safely repatriated to Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced.
The fishermen, who were aboard the vessel IMUL-A-0138-PTM (SLFV Sudu Duwa-4), had been apprehended by Bangladeshi authorities last year.
They arrived at Bandaranaike International Airport at 5:10 a.m. on April 2, 2026, on a FitsAir flight.
The Ministry stated that their release was secured through diplomatic efforts by the Sri Lankan High Commission in Dhaka, with the cooperation of Bangladeshi authorities, reflecting humanitarian goodwill and the strong bilateral ties between the two nations.
The repatriation process was coordinated by the Consular Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the Sri Lankan High Commission in Dhaka.
Sri Lanka also expressed its appreciation to Bangladesh for its support in facilitating the safe return of the fishermen.
