Protest continues, SLN to help locate missing fisherman

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 25 February 2004, 15:01 GMT]
Hundreds of Vadamarachchi fishermen did not go fishing for the third day and participated in a protest meeting held in the premises of Sakkottai St. Francis Xavier Church Wednesday morning condemning the recent attack on local fishermen by Indian poachers in the northern waters, fisheries sources said.

Representatives of Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM), Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission (HRC), Department of Fisheries, fisheries federation and members of clergy in Jaffna were present at the protest meeting as observers, sources said.

Tamil National Alliance former parliamentarian Mr.M.K.Sivajilingam and candidate Mr.K.Sivamaharasa also attended the meeting.

Vadamarachchi North Fisheries Federation President Mr.K.Sooriayakumaran presided.

At the conclusion of the meeting memoranda were sent to the Government Agent and representatives of the SLMM and HRC in Jaffna, sources said.

Meanwhile, the SLMM representatives in Jaffna informed fisheries representatives that the Sri Lanka Navy has agreed to launch a search for the missing fisherman in the sea. The SLA has also agreed to accommodate fisheries representatives in their vessel in the search operation, SLMM sources told local fisheries representatives.

When a group of Indian poachers in three boats surrounded local fishermen in the northern water Monday and attacked them with weapons such swords. Indian poachers were alleged to have thrown a local fisherman into the sea after cutting him with sword. Still the missing local fisherman has not been traced, fisheries sources said.