Mullaiththeevu fishermen resist occupation of Sinhala fishermen

[TamilNet, Sunday, 21 April 2013, 07:41 GMT]
Eezham Tamil fishermen of Maaththa’lan in Mullaiththeevu district resisted the arrival and occupation of Sinhala fishermen and attempted to set fire to their boats on Friday. As tension prevailed between the two groups, the occupying Sinhala navy rushed to the scene. After deliberations, finally the Sri Lanka Navy advised the southern group of fishermen to leave the area and return to the south immediately to diffuse tension. The Sinhala fishermen have then returned to their areas in the south, vowing that they would return to Maaththa'lan one day.

The Sinhala fishermen had arrived in 20 boats to Maaththa’lan on Thursday, with an intention of permanently settling and carrying out fishing with the backing of the occupying Sinhala Navy.

Chronology: