Sri Lanka's President on Friday ordered the release of all Indian fishermen detained for poaching after New Delhi surprisingly refused to back a US-led resolution against Colombo at the UN's Human Rights Council.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s order was "a gesture of good will in response to India's stance" at the HRC, presidential spokesman Mohan Samaranayake told AP.
PTI reports Rajapaksa hailed the India's abstention as a very welcome and significant development which was very encouraging towards Sri Lanka.
Find full coverage of the UNHRC vote and reactions to the resolution mandating the OHCHR to undertake an inquiry here.