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Nine Lankans fined and detained in Diego Garcia
By Marisa de Silva
Nine Matara fishermen, who were arrested in the high security British Indian Ocean Territory of Diego Garcia, have been fined £6000 (Rs 1.11 million) and detained for six weeks for fishing without a licence and bringing cannabis into that island, an official said.

A British High Commission spokesman said the island’s magistrate had also ordered that all the equipment on the vessel Sumudhu Putha be confiscated if the fine was not paid. The vessel’s captain Prabath Nissanka was given 30 days to pay the fine, spokesman John Culley said. On the second charge of bringing in cannabis, the crew was given a custodial sentence of six weeks starting from August 17 when they were arrested by the US Navy.

Foreign Ministry Director General I. Ansar said the owner of the vessel was claiming that the vessel had only drifted into unauthorised territory and the cannabis was for personal consumption. Mr. Ansar said the owner had appealed for a reduction of the fine as he and others involved in it were tsunami victims trying to regain their livelihood.

The official said the appeal would be forwarded to the British authorities. The owner said his son Nissanka and four others had set sail from Matara but on the way they took in four more Sri Lankans who were stranded on a nearby island and sought help.

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