Eastern fishing restrictions eased

The Government has relaxed restrictions on fishing imposed along the Muttur and Kinniya coastal belt in the Trincomalee district.

This follows a discussion Presidential Senior Advisor Parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa had with a delegation of the fishing community in Muttur during an inspection tour of the region on April 20. Earlier, the Government imposed certain restrictions on fishing in this region for security reasons on the recommendation of the Navy.

At the discussion with fishermen in the region on Sunday, Rajapaksa gave a patient hearing to the fishermen's grievances and negotiated with the Navy to have these restrictions relaxed to enhance the living conditions of the fishing community in the area.

It was also decided at this conference to increase the number of Ma del used in the area with Fisheries Ministry approval.

Earlier, fishing was banned in the region during the operation of the Navy's Jet Liner vessel. Fishermen will now be allowed to engage in fishing utilising Ma del and Theppam during the operation of this vessel.

Fishermen in Kinniya and Muttur would also be allowed to engage in fishing within a distance of five miles from the shore three days per week.

Earlier, fishermen were allowed to engage in fishing upto a distance of two miles. The possibility of allowing fishing on all seven days of the week would be considered soon depending on the security situation.

It was also decided at this discussion to advance the fishing time to 2 a.m. and to relax the prohibition on fishing in the Gange area.

Earlier, the use of motor boats for fishing was prohibited in the Kinniya and Muttur region. The Navy agreed to relax this rule on the insistence of MP Rajapaksa. Accordingly fishermen would be allowed to use motor boats below 15 horse power capacity for fishing from April 27.

Earlier, fishermen in Kinniya and Muttur had to travel to Trincomalee to attend to official matters including their registration work. Since this was a costly exercise, Rajapaksa advised the authorities to open a separate office for this in Muttur for the convenience of fishermen.

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Deputy Minister Neomal Perera was appointed as a one man committee to observe follow up action on the decisions taken and also act as an intermediary to solve outstanding problems of fishermen in the region.

Rajapaksa was accompanied by Ministers Bandula Gunawardane, Rishard Bathiutheen, Najeeb A. Majeed and Susantha Punchinilame and Deputy Ministers Neomal Perera and K.A. Bais. Navy Commander Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda and other security chiefs attended the discussion.