A Parliament Oversight Committee has called for a report from the Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries on the impact of ongoing poaching by Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan territorial waters in North steps that are taken to control their illegal bottom trawling practices in the Northern sea.
The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Alleviating the Impact of the Economic Crisis which heard representations from Northern fishermen directed the Secretary to the Ministry to submit the report before the next meeting.
Northern fishermen also alleged that even though the Indian fishermen are carrying out the illegal bottom trawling practice, no studies were carried out by any government authorities to determine the impact on marine resources and fish management within 24 nautical miles of territorial waters.
Chair of the Committee Gamini Waleboda expressed concerns about the inefficiency of relevant departments over the failure to carry out any such studies so far.
The Committee also focused on the importation of fish for value-added canned fish manufacturing process for export purposes as well. It was revealed at the meeting that some companies released canned fish stocks to local markets against the law causing significant revenue loss to the country.
A Thai woman walking topless in Arugam Bay town has been arrested by the Police.
The UK government has unveiled a package of reforms to simplify imports from developing countries which allows for more garments manufactured in Sri Lanka to enter the UK tariff-free.
The Cabinet has approved a proposal for Sri Lankans overseas to apply for their passports through an online system via the Lankan diplomatic missions.
Cabinet has approved the appointment of Commodore (retired) M.B.N.A. Premaratne of the Sri Lanka Navy, as the new Commissioner General of Excise.
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