On Tuesday night, January 20, 2026, the Sri Lankan Navy arrested seven fishermen from Mayiladuthurai district for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) while fishing in the Palk Strait. Fisheries department sources said the fishermen went out to fish from Kodiyakkarai near Vedaranyam at around 2 p.m. in two fibre boats. By 10 p.m., their boats were intercepted near Neduntheevu. One boat carried four fishermen: Devaraj, Sridhar from Perumalpettai, and Kalaivanan, Saranraj from Pudhukuppam near Sirkazhi. The other boat had three fishermen: Rajesh, Sathya, and Thanivel, all from Vanagiri. The fishermen and their boats were taken into custody on charges of fishing beyond the maritime boundary. Although they come from Mayiladuthurai, the fishermen had been staying at Kodiyakkarai for fishing activities.