SLA yet to allow mechanized fishing in Ariyalai Sea

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 06 April 2005, 14:58 GMT]
Fisheries societies sources said that even after elapse of three years from the signing of a ceasefire agreement (CFA) between the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) and the Liberation Tigers of tamil Eelam (LTTE), the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) stationed in the Jaffna district have yet to allow fishermen of Ariyalai area, a suburb of Jaffna town, to use fishing crafts fitted with outboard engines.

The Jaffna area command of the SLA has rejected several pleas made by fishermen, sources added.

Following military operation in the early part of the year 2000 in Ariyalai and Colombagam, the SLA brought the coastal areas of Jaffna town under its control and banned fishing in Jaffna lagoon. However with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) the SLA relaxed the ban and allowed fishing in daytime with severe restrictions, sources said.

But even after three years, the SLA is still not allowing fishermen to use with mechanised boats.

Several fishermen say that they are using boats operated manually for the last four years with great difficulties.

Meanwhile, the SLA has put barricades on roads, which lead to seashores declared as high security zones.

Only fishermen who possess pass issued by the SLA are allowed to go for fishing, sources said.