Restriction on fishing in East Coast Sea lifted

[TamilNet, Thursday, 31 December 2009, 13:03 GMT]
The restriction on fishing in the seas of eastern coast has been withdrawn with immediate effect. Fishermen could leave for fishing around the clock and return, excluding the high security zones in the Trincomalee harbor. Rear Admiral (retd) Mohan Wijewickrema, Governor of the Eastern Province announced the government’s decision of lifting the restriction with immediate effect at a conference with representatives of fishing societies held at Trincomalee Naval Headquarters Wednesday morning.

Only suspicious fishing craft will be subjected to random security checks.

The permit system applicable to the fishermen will also be abolished.

However, fishermen were advised to keep the permits already issued to them to prove their identity if and when required by the Sri Lanka Navy personnel while patrolling.

Restrictions on diving in the sea for fishing have also been withdrawn, SLN Commodore Sisiri Jayakody said. at the conference.