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Illegal fishing activities by Indians: No decision on issuing permits says Douglas 

18 Apr 2021

As the Government of Sri Lanka looks to put an end to the illegal fishing activities by Indian fishermen that trespass in Lankan territorial waters, especially in the northern seas, Indian fishermen have requested that they be issued permits to legally fish within the island’s maritime boundaries, it is learnt.  Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda said that no decision was reached regarding the issuance of permits to Indian fishermen to allow their vessels to enter Sri Lanka’s territorial waters.  Adding that a decision was yet to be reached regarding the issue of Indian fishermen using illegal fishing methods across the border, he noted that while various measures are already in place to halt such activities, certain parties are exaggerating and misrepresenting the proposals that have been put forth.  “My aim is to completely stop the illegal fishing activities of Indian fishermen who are crossing the border which is adversely impacting the marine resources and our fishermen. It is by no means acceptable for Indian fishermen to carry out a system of business which is banned in our country as well as many other countries,” Devananda noted further.  When queried about the requests that the Indian fishermen had made, Devananda explained: “In order to put an end to the poaching that is currently taking place, the Indian fishermen have requested Sri Lanka to issue them permits to fish in the northern seas. However, that will not be a solution to the matter at hand.”  At the same time, Devananda said that there is a better understanding between him and the northern fishermen of Sri Lanka, adding that the decisions he would take in this regard would be acceptable to the affected fishermen and would in no way hinder their livelihoods.   


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