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Fish export ban: EU experts coming here
European Union (EU) experts are coming here to review measures taken by the new Government in its bid to get a reversal of the recent ban on the export of Sri Lankan fish and fish products. The visit follows talks held in Brussels this week by Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera with the European Commission’s Environment, Maritime and Fisheries Affairs Chief Karmenu Vella.
“The aim of the delegation will be to review the implementation of EU recommendations. The former Government failed to do it, but we are doing it promptly,” Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Ajith Perera said. He said the new Government had moved quickly to address the concerns of the EU. As part of this, amendments to the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act are to be moved in Parliament this week to impose heavy fines ranging from Rs. 1.5 million up to Rs. 50 million on those violating deep sea fishing regulations.
Mr. Perera said he was hopeful the ban would be lifted within months because the new Government was taking immediate and effective steps to implement the EU recommendations. EU Ambassador David Daly said once the recommendations were implemented, the EU would take steps to lift the ban. He said the EU would work closely and constructively with the Sri Lankan authorities.