Northern fishermen plan boat protest against Indian fishing incursions

Fishermen’s associations in northern Sri Lanka will stage a boat protest at sea on July 30 against the growing number of Indian fishing vessels entering northern waters, the United Fishermen’s Association of the North said.

The protest will take place off Kurikadduwan in Jaffna, where fishermen plan to line up their boats and voice opposition to what they describe as aggressive and unauthorised fishing by Indian fishermen.

The association has called on fishermen across the Northern Province to join the demonstration. It has also sought support from fishing communities operating along the coast from Negombo and Chilaw to Puttalam, Mannar and Jaffna.

The association said Indian fishermen had increasingly entered Sri Lankan waters and carried out fishing activities that affected the livelihoods of local communities.

Northern fishermen had repeatedly raised the issue with the Fisheries Minister but had received no effective response, it said.

Protesters are expected to assemble their boats in a line off Kurikadduwan and demand stronger government action to protect Sri Lankan fishing grounds.