SLA continues fishing ban in resettled areas in Vanni

[TamilNet, Thursday, 08 July 2010, 07:07 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) continues its ban on fishing in the areas in Vanni where the uprooted civilians were resettled recently, allowing them access only to a space of 200 m from the shore, fishermen in Vanni said. Meanwhile, Sinhalese fishermen from South are permitted by SLA to freely fish with their trawlers in Mullaiththeevu seas, they complained. Despite Fisheries Minister’s assurance that the Southern fishermen will not fish in northern seas, they are welcomed by SLA to fish with their trawlers, they said.

Except in Poonakari where the fishermen are allowed to fish in their boats up to a limited distance in the sea SLA refuses permission fishing in boats in the rest of the areas in Vanni.

While the ban on fishing is strictly imposed some aid organizations have donated fishing boats to some resettled fishermen in Vanni, sources in Vanni said.