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High tension over fishing: Navy sends patrol craft
View(s):By Padma Kumari
The Sri Lanka Navy yesterday deployed additional patrol craft off the north-western coast as tension was building up after a string of intrusions by Indian fishermen into Lankan territorial waters.
Navy Spokesman Kosala Warnakulasuriya told the Sunday Times that two Dvora craft were rushed to the area following a complaint lodged by the Fisheries Department. The move came after an estimated 250 fishing trawlers and boats entered Sri Lankan territorial waters on two consecutive days causing damage to local fishing boats and fishing gear.
Despite the presence of the Naval craft, the Indian fishing boats re-entered the Lankan waters last night. Anton Rex, president of the Multiday Fisheries Association, told the Sunday Times that soon after the first incident took place on Thursday, the Navy was alerted, but no action had been taken until last afternoon.
‘On Friday the Indian trawlers were 20 kilometers from our shore and laid their nets. Local fishermen’s nets valued at more than Rs. 500,000 were damaged in the process,” he said. As a result of Friday’s incidents, some 75 local fishing craft could not engage in fishing and were deprived of their income. “The tension is building up. About 15 of our boats stayed together in fear that the Indians may attack our fishermen. The local fishermen also may retaliate if the situation continues as our authorities are not taking action against them,” a representative of the Fisheries Association said.
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