Fisheries Ministry in talks to stop illegal fishing in Lankan waters

Necessary measures underway to prevent Indian fishermen from illegally entering Sri Lankan territorial waters, Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources  Ramalingam Chandrasekar told a Parliamentary committee this week.

He said discussions are underway with Tamil Nadu and the Indian High Commission to resolve this issue regarding Indian fishermen and that a swift resolution is anticipated.

He made the remarks at the Consultative Committee meeting of the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources held earlier this week.

The Minister also told the Committee that talks are underway between the Ministry of Fisheries and Trade to formulate a system to sell fish through Lanka Sathosa.

Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe said plans are afoot to expand the Lanka Sathosa network and necessary arrangements could be made to sell fish through these stores.
 
Officials representing the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation also said they are looking to implement the required measures to sell fish through Lanka Sathosa as well as package different varieties of  fish  in a manner for the convenience of consumers.