Fishermen appeal to lift fishing ban on Kerativu sea

[TamilNet, Thursday, 14 April 2005, 10:48 GMT]
Fisheries societies in Thenmaradchchi division in Jaffna district appealed to the Divisional Secretary (DS) that they should be allowed fishing in Chavakachcheri-Kerativu sea twenty four hours a day. Otherwise they Sri Lanka Government should resume the relief that has been suspended by the authorities, in a memorandum handed over to the DS Wednesday evening, sources said.

The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) has declared Kerativu Sea as high security zone and has banned fishing for the last five years, fisheries sources said.

Fisheries societies in three Grama Sevaka Officers divisions in Thenmaradchchi further requested in their memorandum that the road that leads through Thanankilappu to Kerativu Sea should be reopened. If these demands are not met as early as possible, the suspension of providing relief to affected fishermen should be lifted immediately, memorandum said.

The ban on fishing in Kerativu has badly affected the economy of the fishermen in the three GS divisions, the memorandum added.