BY Buddhika Samaraweera
A group of fishermen in the Negombo area had organised a massive protest on the Negombo-Colombo Main Road yesterday (3), demanding that the Government reduce the prices of fishing gear and fuel, and take necessary steps to stop sea sand mining activities in the area.
Priests from Catholic churches in the area also took part in the protest, which was attended by nearly 500 persons. A heavy police protection had also been deployed around the area where the protest was held.
Speaking to the media at the time, the Catholic clergy who took part in the protest said that they were participating in it not to protest against the current Government or support another political party, but to ensure the welfare of local fishermen.
“The prices of fishing gear and fuel have sky-rocketed at present. This has caused various hardships to those who make a living by fishing. In addition, various groups are now engaged in sea sand mining activities. Due to such, there is a risk of a situation where the fishermen won't be able to fish in the sea. We have made a number of requests in this regard, but the protest was organised because there was no response to any of them,” the Catholic priests said.
Meanwhile, last month, the fishermen’s organisations requested the Government to provide kerosene to the fishing community at a price of Rs. 70 per litre, taking into account the prevailing economic climate in the country.
The fishing community has been affected due to the prevailing shortage of fuel, particularly diesel, and as a remedy, the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry had made a special request to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) to provide adequate fuel to those engaged in the fishing industry in view of the current fuel crisis.
Negombo fishermen protest equipment prices and sand mining
03 Mar 2022
Negombo fishermen protest equipment prices and sand mining
03 Mar 2022
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