Northern fishermen groups demand tough actions against Indian poaching

Northern fishermen federations staged a protest today demanding authorities to stop the ongoing illegal poaching by Indian fishermen in Sri Lanka’s territorial waters in North as their livelihood is threatened amidst the global pandemic COVID-19.

Staging the protest in front of the District Secretraiat of Mullaithiv, the fishermen urged the government to take tough steps to prevent Indian fishermen venturing into Lankan territorial waters. 

Fishermen federations in other four districts also handed in petitions to the respective District Secretariat officials after police warned of public gathering due to COVID-19 situation in the region.

Earlier Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda sought an urgent joint meeting with Indian side after Northern fishermen alleged that he had failed to take any definitive measures to stop the Indian fishermen who freely enter into the country's territorial waters violating laws and engaged in bottom trawling, an illegal fishing method banned in Sri Lanka.

The joint virtual meeting is fixed for December 30. 

Pix by: N.Lohathaylan