Jaffna Fishermen delegation Submit Petition at Consulate

A delegation of fishermen association leaders from Jaffna visited the Consulate General of India last Thursday to highlight the concerns faced by local fishermen.

The delegation, comprising Simon Thatheu from Mandaitivu, Leeliyan Kurus from Delft, Douglas Paul from Point Pedro, S. Chanthirika from Point Pedro, and E. Anantharajah from Gurunagar, submitted a copy of the petition addressed to the President of Sri Lanka.

Consular officers at the Consulate General of India received the petition and engaged in discussions with the delegation.

The fishermen leaders expressed their concerns over Indian fishing vessels allegedly entering Sri Lankan waters and venturing very close to the shore.

They raised the issue of Indian bottom trawlers destroying the fishing nets of Sri Lankan fishermen, leading to financial losses, and urged the Indian government to take immediate steps to prevent such incursions.

During the discussion, the delegation suggested that both the Indian and Sri Lankan Navies conduct joint patrols to curb illegal fishing activities. They also called for mutual discussions between fishermen from both countries to find a long-term solution to the issue.

They also proposed the deployment of buoys or beacons along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) for easier identification, particularly at night.

The fishermen leaders also noted that their protest was solely driven by livelihood concerns and had no political affiliations.

The Indian Consulate acknowledged their grievances and assured the delegation that their petition would be conveyed to the relevant authorities.