Celebration of the World Fisheries Day, 21st November 2023, Kilinochchi, Sri Lanka, ජාතික ධීවර සහයෝගිතා ව්යාපාරයේ 26 වන ලෝක ධීවර ධීවර දින සැමරුම – කිලිනොච්චිය
World Fisheries Day was celebrated in Sri Lanka by the National Fisheries
Solidarity Organization (NAFSO) at Kilinochchi in the Northern Province of Sri
Lanka. Under the leadership of the NAFSO
Convener and General Secretary of the World Forum of Fisher Peoples (WFFP) Herman
Kumara, nearly 650 fisher people representing district fisher organizations,
members of civil societies, trade unions, women’s organizations, youth groups, academics,
religious leaders from Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim and Christian religions
participated in this event.
The
theme of this year’s celebration was “Let’s Ensure Food Sovereignty through right
to Aquatic Resources, right to Land and Climate Justice”.This theme was decided
to coincide with the COP 28 Conference to be held in Dubai, UAE Nov/Dec.
2023. The event held in Killinochchi
commenced with a march by trade union, women and youth members of fisher
organizations from 15 districts expressing their solidarity and presenting
their various issues followed by a gathering of all participants at the Cooperative
Hall of Killinochchi. An opportunity was created for speakers from NAFSO, the
University of Kelaniya, National Fisheries Union, Northern Province Fisher People Unity (NPFPU) National
Fisheries Women Federation, youth movement leader and District Coordinators of
Galle and Kilinochchi to present their views.
Addressing
the gathering, Mr. Herman Kumara brought to the attention of the participants
on the need to implement the UN/FAO Voluntary Guidelines for securing
sustainable Small Scale Fisheries (SSF).
He also made the people aware of the Sri Lankan Government’s new
Fisheries & Aquatic Resources Act which is proposed to replace the original
Act No.2 of 1996 that will severely affect the small scale fishers in Sri Lanka
and called on all fisher people’s solidarity against this Act. Bringing
attention to the suffering of people during the Indian Ocean Tsunami and the 30
year war in Sri Lanka, a one minute’s silence was observed to remember those
who lost their lives. A lamp was also
lit remembering those who are no more with us.
Similarly, he expressed sympathy for the victims of the conflict between
Israel and Palestine and the atrocities done to the women and children on both
sides.
A
fisher leader, Francis Joseph was felicitated for his dedication on fisher
issues, his leadership to address the issues of fisher communities and most
importantly his commitment to organize the event at Kilinochchi amidst pressure
and some threats to the team.
Finally,
scholarships were awarded to five deserving school children, followed by
issuance of three publications.
The
program consisted of presentations of several colorful cultural and traditional
dances by the youth and women of the fisher communities.
