Colombo/New Delhi, Oct 30
Five Indian fishermen were given death penalty by a Sri Lankan court today for alleged drug trafficking, prompting a response from India that it will appeal to a higher court against the judgment.

The five TN fishermen, P Augustus, R Wilson, K Prasath and J Langlet, were apprehended in 2011 by the Lankan Navy on charges of narcotics smuggling. They had been arrested on a boat off northern Jaffna's Delft islet.

Colombo High Court judge Preethi Padman Surasena awarded death sentence to eight persons, including five Indians, for involvement in heroin-trafficking between the two countries.

India said it will provide all assistance to the five fisherman and was pursuing the matter at diplomatic level.

``The Indian fishermen have always maintained their innocence. The Government of India through the High Commission of India, Colombo and the Consulate General of India, Jaffna has been extending all possible consular assistance to them,'' External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said.