Fishing ban in Jaffna continues despite promises

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 12 August 2009, 18:18 GMT]
Fisheries Societies in Jaffna peninsula told Northern Province governor, former SLA Major Gen. G. A. Chandrasiri Wednesday that despite government announcement that the fishing ban in Jaffna peninsula had been completely lifted, in reality the ban continues, sources in Jaffna said. The governor, participating in the District Development Coordinating Committee, faced accusations raised against the fishing ban, the sources added.

Though fishing is allowed in Tho’ndaimanaa’ru, Kadduppulam, Supparmadam in Vadamaraadchi the ban on fishing is continually imposed in the large area between Kaangkeasanththu’rai and Maiyiliddi that are close to SLA High Security Zones.

The Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) Admiral who was present in the meeting said that fishing ban has been lifted in all areas excluding those within HSZs.

Fisheries society representatives and officials raised their objection to the Admiral’s statement pointing out that the fishermen in the large area between Kaangkeasanththu’rai and Maiyiliddi are not permitted to fish.

The fishermen have to walk 8 km to a place called Kusumaanththu’rai through difficult terrain each day to fish as SLN has blocked the main routes to this area.

The governor assured that the ban will be lifted gradually.

Bail Rajapakse, President’s senior advisor and brother, too had promised that the fishing ban will be lifted stage by stage during JMC election campaign but the ban continues to be imposed in the peninsula, fisheries society representatives said.