Northern fisherman protested against the invasion of Indian Trawlers

The fisherman
is facing challenges in various ways due to breaking out of the Covid -19
pandemic in the country. Not having sufficient market for the fish production
is the main problem. Especially small scale fishermen are one of the most
vulnerable groups in this pandemic context. They struggle to live and feed
their families. Northern fisherman faces another problem in the midst of
pandemic. Indian trawlers have started again to break into Sri Lankan Territory
Sea for grabbing resources. This is not a new problem but recently Indian
fisherman had minimized coming to the Sri Lankan sea. It is reported that
Indian trawlers have started breaking into Sri Lankan territorial sea again. It
has created a worst situation for the fisheries industry of the North.

More than 500
Indian trawlers daily break into the Sri Lankan water especially in the sea in
Mullathive. Indian trawlers use very harmful fisheries gears named bottom
trawling. This problem has been concerned to the Fisheries Minister and other
relevant authorities of the fisheries but there is no any proper solution for
the issues yet. According to the situation, fisher community organized people
against the Indian Trawlers. It organized a protest against the invasion of
Indian trawlers with the participation of district fisher co-operative
societies, fisher unions and fisher communities in Mullathive district on 15 of
December 2020.

It reported
that Indian trawlers not only grab the resources but also damage the boats,
nets and other equipments of the Sri Lankan fisherman. The protest was
organized in front of the Divisional Secretariat Office in Mullathive. The
fisherman handed over a petition to the authorities of the divisional secretariat
office. Mr. Anthony Jesudasan , Mrs. Lavina Hasanthi representing National
Fisheries Solidarity Movement, fisher leaders, representatives from CSOs, women
organizations, political representatives and media persons participated in the
protest.