Jaffna fishermen demand action

[TamilNet, Friday, 23 October 1998, 19:32 GMT]
Representatives from fishermen's organisations in Jaffna unanimously resolved this afternoon to lobby all Tamil political parties, groups and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) that the problems they may face if the army were to impose a ban on fishing in the eastern sector of the Pannai lagoon should be addressed.

The President of the Federation of Fishermen's Organisations of the northern province presided at the meeting which started at 4.30 p.m.

Representatives from organisations from Columbuthurai, Paashaiyoor and Gurunagar were also present.

It was stated that fishermen cannot fish in the waters near the Pannai causeway as recently stipulated by the army because they are very shallow and that the fishing should be allowed in the seas west of or south of Mandaithivu.

Fishermen said that if none of this is permitted by the army they should be at least entitled to relief.