News
Reappointed minister draws fishing community ire
Fishermen protests in Kalpitiya (above) and in Mullaitivu (below). Pix by Padma Kumari Kankanange and Rumesh Madushanka
Fishing communities on the coastal belt are continuing their protests demanding kerosene and action against Indian raiders from Tamil Nadu.
Anthony Jesuthasan, project manager of the National Fisheries Solidarity Movement, said the community has not got kerosene for a few months.
The scarcity of kerosene has brought them on to the streets again.
Several associations on the coastal areas staged protests this week.
A mass protest was held in Kalpitiya on Tuesday. There were similar protests elsewhere.
In general, a boat needs 30 litres of kerosene a day. But, some vessels need 200-300 litres to go fishing for weeks at a time, the fishermen say.
Northern fishermen protested that the Government should intervene and stop the exploitation by Indians.
“We did not want the Fisheries Minister Mr Devananda to be re-appointed because he did not do anything for our community in the past or present.” Mr Jesudasan said. 
He said that in contrast, Mahinda Amaraweera had helped the community as minister of fisheries.
Hundreds of Indian vessels from Tamil Nadu continue to illegally enter Sri Lankan waters. But only a few vessels have been seized by the navy.
Fishermen have halted their activities because there is no kerosene. As a result fish have become more expensive.
The Government is yet to find a solution to these festering issues.
Annalingam Annarasa, president of Jaffna District Fishermen Cooperative Association said that the Government is just calming down the people without offering solutions.
The fuel crisis in Sri Lanka has presented Tamil Nadu fishermen a chance to exploit Sri Lankan waters. The northern fishermen say they have to buy kerosene from underground sellers at about Rs.1,000 per litre.
Mr Annarasa said the Indian Consulate General in Jaffna has been asked for assistance in purchasing fuel.
Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda told the Sunday Times that he had raised the fuel issue at Cabinet meetings on several occasions, but there had been no response. He said compensation will be provided after the approval from the Cabinet.
“I will ask the Cabinet to order the navy to intercept the Indian fishermen on an immediate operation,” Mr Devananda said.
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