CHENNAI: Three fishermen from Rameswaram in Ramanathapuram, who were arrested by the Sri Lankan coast guard, returned to Chennai on Thursday.

The fishermen had ventured into the sea on March 18 for fishing. While fishing near the Pamban region late at night, the Sri Lankan Coast Guard intercepted them.

They were accused of crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line and were arrested.

Following the arrests, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin wrote to India’s External Affairs Minister, requesting immediate steps to secure the release of the detained fishermen.

The officials from the Indian embassy in Sri Lanka held talks with the Sri Lankan government. Later, all three fishermen were handed over to Indian authorities.

The Indian officials issued them emergency certificates and arranged flight tickets for their return to India.

The three fishermen arrived at Chennai Airport on an IndiGo flight from Sri Lanka on Thursday morning.

They were received by officials from the Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department and later sent to their hometown in a government-arranged vehicle.