Fishing ban imposed in Jaffna in view of Basil’s visit

[TamilNet, Monday, 22 June 2009, 12:07 GMT]
Fishermen in Kaarainakar, Ponnaalai and Chuzhipuram areas in Jaffna were not allowed to go fishing from Thursday evening till Friday evening in the seas of Jaffna islets in a security measure imposed in view of Basil Rajapakse, Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapakse’s brother and advisor, taking part in a meeting at Kaarainakar, along with some ministers, to explore into the difficulties faced by the fishermen in Jaffna peninsula, sources in Jaffna said.

Minister Douglas Devananda and Wimal Weerwansa accompanied Basil Rajapakse to the meeting at Kaarainakar Friday.

The representatives of fisheries societies in Jaffna peninsula were brought in Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) boats to the above meeting.

Meanwhile, some of the ministers paid a visit to Naakatheepam Buddhist shrine in Nayinaatheevu, an islet off Jaffna, escorted by SLN boats.

The restriction on fishing comes in the wake of Basil Rajapakse’s announcement that all restrictions on fishing in the north are to be lifted.