Madurai

According to P Jesuraja, president, All Mechanized Boats Fishermen Association, Ramanathapuram, as many as 108 mechanised boats and 17 country boats, were in the custody of the Sri Lankan naval authorities. All these boats remained in the custody of Sri Lanka for over five years and owners of these boats and fishermen had lost their livelihoods. The state has announced compensation of Rs 5 lakh for each of the mechanized boats and Rs 1.5 lakh for each for the country boats.