Hundreds of fishermen staged a demonstration against Indian fishermen on Friday in Jaffna. They surrounded the District Secretariat demanding that the Government intervenes to bring an end to Indian fishermen infiltrating deep into Sri Lankan waters and fishing.
Northern fisherfolk chanted slogans highlighting that the infiltration of the Indian fishermen into Sri Lankan waters was a big blow to their livelihood.
The fisherfolk in their hundreds came in procession from their Association building and surrounded the Jaffna Government Secretariat blocking the Jaffna-Kandy main road. Traffic came to a standstill from the time the demonstration began at 9 am.
The President of the Jaffna Fishermen’s Association, S. Annarasa said that Indian fishermen were not only hampering the livelihood of the Northern fishermen, they were also destroying marine resources. He justified the action taken by the Sri Lanka Navy to prevent Indian fishing vessels from infiltrating into the Northern waters. The Fishermen’s Association President said that several rounds of talks were held between the Indian and the Northern fisherfolk to bring an end to the infiltration of Indian fishermen but the talks had failed to prevent Indian fishing vessels.
Meanwhile, reports from Tamil Nadu said that a protest was staged by Indian fisherfolk in Tamil Nadu accusing the Sri Lanka Navy of arresting Indian fishermen who drift into Sri Lankan waters.
However, Northern fishermen in Jaffna said yesterday that the Indian fishermen, despite infiltrating into the Northern waters, carried out an adverse campaign against the Sri Lanka Navy.
Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda met the protestors and promised to take up their grievances with the Indian Government. Following the assurance given by the Minister the protestors dispersed in the afternoon.