Fishing restrictions affect Trincomalee fishermen

[TamilNet, Sunday, 17 February 2008, 12:43 GMT]
The livelihood of Trincomalee fishermen, majority of them Tamil or Muslim, have been badly affected due to the restriction imposed by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) on fishing now in force for more than one year. One third of the population in Kinniya town, second densely populated town in the district is engaged in fishing, and many have been driven to abject poverty, according to Kinniya Division Fisheries Co-operative Society sources.

Fisherman in Ki'n'niyaa, Trincomalee, Challi and Kuchchave'li and other coastal villages in the district are allowed to fish only in day and also from 1 km from the shore.

They are not allowed to go for deep sea fishing, sources said.