He has given the promise at a meeting with a delegation from the Indo-Lanka fisheries welfare conference, led by its president N. Devadas.

Consultant to the conference P. Anthonymutti said the fishermen might be freed this week.

Prior to their meeting with president Sirisena, the delegation met with fisheries minister Mahinda Amaraweera and Hindu cultural affairs minister D.M. Swaminathan.

Anthonymuttu has told BBC Sandeshaya that the Tamil Nadu fisheries ministry secretary Dr. Vigil Kumar has responded positively to a request to release, as a reciprocal measure, the 11 Lankan fishermen in their custody.