Fisherman met Indian High Commissioner – 2021.11.01
Northern Province Fisher People Unity and National Fisheries Solidarity
Movement met Mr.Gopal Baglag, the Indian high commissioner on 2021.11.01. The
purpose of the meeting was to convince the High Commissioner about the invasion
of the Indian trawlers into the Sri Lankan sea especially in Jaffna, Mannar,
Killinochchi and Mullative areas and grab the fish destroying the resources by
using the illegal and destructive fishing gears as well as damage the fishing
equipments of the Sri Lankan fisherman. The fisheries representatives explained
the situation to the High Commissioner.
This meeting was coordinated by Mr. Sumandiran, Member of Parliament.
The representatives
used the opportunity to explain the social, economic and political issues
created due to the invasion of the Indian trawlers highlighting the existing
situation and historical background of this issue. Fisherman said that they
regret because of not implementing the two laws which were passed recently in
the country.
- Fisheries and Aquatic
resources ( Amendment ) act, No. 11 of 2017 (Prohibition
of fishing operations utilizing trawl nets)
- Fisheries (Regulation of Foreign Fishing
Boats)
(Amendment) Act, No. 1 of 2018
Fisherman
mentioned that they repent about the invasion of the Indian trawlers violating
the international laws related to the sea boundaries as well as fisherman
requested Commissioner to inform to the Indian trawlers to stop breaking into the Sri Lankan sea territory and destroying
the resources.
The
representative of National Fisheries Solidarity Movement explained the attempts
that were taken by the organization to find the solution for this issues as
well as he requested the Indian High Commissioner to involve stopping the
invasion of Indian trawlers according to the Sri Lankan law.
Hearing
the voice of representatives around one half hours, Commissioner stated that
India implements a program to stop the trawling fishing industry and shift to
an alternative fishing industry. As well as, he promised to channel the issues
and solutions the Sri Lanka representatives raised with the Central government
of India and Chennai regional government to find a proper solution for the
issue.
There
was some group of the meeting and meeting was happened within two hours. Indian High Commissioner and a secretary
participated from their side. Mr. Sumandiran, Member of Parliament from TNA
party, Mr. Anthony Jesudasan, Program Coordinator of NAFSO under the people to
people’s dialog for peace and sustainable development, Mr. N.V. Subramaniyam,
Chairman of Northern Province Fisher People Unity, Mr. Francis Joshap, Vice
Chairman of Northern Province Fisher People Unity. Mr. Anthonypille Mariyarasa,
Treasurer of Northern Province Fisher People Unity, Mr. Chandralingam Sudirman,
Former member of Provincial Council and Mr. V. Arulnadan, Chairman of “Annai
Velakkanni” Fisher Co-orparative society in Mullative participated in the
meeting
