The Chinese embassy in Sri Lanka has confirmed that 37 Chinese fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan navy have been released and all are in good condition.

On Sunday evening, 37 Chinese fishermen were reportedly fishing aboard two boats when they were spotted by the navy off the eastern coast of Sri Lanka. The navy claims the fishermen were illegally fishing in Sri Lankan waters, but it later turned out the detention was a misunderstanding.

The owners of the two detained fishing trawlers were Sri Lankan, while the Chinese fishermen were employed by them. This was the first time Sri Lanka had arrested Chinese fishermen.