“All possible action will be taken, in cooperation with the relevant Indian authorities, to investigate this incident utilising GPS technology as well,” an official statement said.

On allegations that the Sri Lankan Navy opened fire, its spokesman, Lieutenant-Commander Chaminda Walakuluge, told The Hindu: “No Navy personnel is authorised to shoot poaching fishermen. They cannot open fire without a clearance from the Navy Commander. They only have permission to round up trawlers found poaching, and arrest the fishermen,”