SLA changes fishing restrictions

[TamilNet, Monday, 01 November 1999, 12:31 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) has stipulated new restrictions for fishermen in Mamunai in Vadamaradchi East in the Jaffna Peninsula said sources. According to the SLA announcement, the fishermen will not be allowed to set out for fishing before 12.00 midnight the sources said.

The army has told fishermen that they should register at the SLA camp after 8 p.m., and go directly to the sentry at the seashore, where they should register again before they are allowed to go for fishing at midnight the sources said.

The SLA authorities summoned the fishermen to a meeting held at the market building this morning and informed them of the new regulations.

The SLA also told the local fishermen's co-operative federation to inform their colleges in the area about the new regulations.

Earlier the fishing was allowed after 2 p.m. and the fishermen were asked to register only at sentry at the seashore.

A representative of the co-operative said fishermen will have to wait a long time before they can set out fishing and it causes unnecessary difficulties to them.