MADURAI: The Indian Coast Guard has arrested three Sri Lankan fishermen who traversed into Indian waters near Rameswaram on Tuesday. The three aboard a fibre boat were apprehended during a patrol exercise in the waters of the Bay of Bengal.

The ICGS Mandapam intercepted the Sri Lankan boat bearing registration (OFRP 5671 JFN) and took it into custody. After the formalities, the case was handed over to Tamil Nadu Coastal Security Group, Mandapam.

The arrested have been identified as R. Niroshan (34) of Nedunkulam, Colombuthurai, T Bala Ramesh (37) of Udunthurai, Thalayadi, Yalpanam and P Pulaykumar (44) of the same locality in Sri Lanka. 

A joint investigation is under way, sources said.