Eighteen Indian fishermen whose boats were caught in rough sea were rescued by the Sri Lankan navy, an official said.
The navy rescued 12 fishermen off Delft island while six others were rescued off Analative island. They were later handed over to the police after being provided food and medicine, navy spokesman Kosala Warnakulasuriya told Xinhua.
Warnakulasuriya said that this was 'an instance where Indian fishermen were saved by Sri Lanka's navy despite allegations by Indian media accusing Sri Lanka of unleashing violence on Indian fishermen'.
Representatives from foreign ministries, coast guards and navies from India and Sri Lanka are scheduled to meet in the island nation Jan 13-14 to discuss issues related to fishing in shared waters, the report said.