The Sri Lanka navy arrested 86 Indian fishermen for poaching in Sri Lankan waters, a navy spokesman said on Friday.

Navy spokesman Indika Silva said that the fishermen were arrested overnight, east of Mullaitivu in the northern seas and their boats were also seized.

The arrest is the biggest since the new Sri Lankan government came to power last month and began to cement ties with India.

Earlier this week, India had arrested 19 Sri Lankan fishermen on charges of trespassing into Indian waters but they were later freed.

Indian media reports said at the time that it was believed the Sri Lankan fishermen were released as bilateral relations between the two countries were improving after the government change in the island nation.

After the new Sri Lankan government led by President Maithripala Sirisena took office, it released 81 Indian fishing boats while India also released six Sri Lankan fishermen and their 17 boats as a goodwill gesture.

The issue of fishermen from India and Sri Lanka poaching in their waters belonging to their neighbors has been an issue which has dragged for years with no permanent solution in sight.