The News Minute | January 15, 2015 | 08.06 am ISTSri Lanka led by its new President Maithripala Sirisena is going to release 15 fishermen belonging to Puducherry as a Pongal gift. The government will also consider the release of 87 Indian boats in detention with the Sri Lankan government, reported New Indian Express. The Foreign Ministry said, “As a gesture of goodwill and with the advent of the Thai Pongal festival, the new Government of President Maithripala Sirisena is processing the release on humanitarian grounds the remaining fifteen Indian fishermen from Puducherry who are detained in Sri Lanka for poaching.”“There are also 87 boats of Indian fishermen which have been detained in instances over a period of time, and are presently in Sri Lankan judicial custody. Their release would be favorably considered upon claims being registered by the respective owners in the relevant Courts, in keeping with the legally stipulated practice,” said the Ministry. The move comes ahead of the visit of Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera’s visit to India in January. TweetFollow @thenewsminute