The fisheries authorities expressed concerns about around 16,000-17,000 fishermen not being able to cast their vote in the Local Government Elections held yesterday (6).

During a press briefing held yesterday, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Department Director General Susantha Kahawatte noted that those engaged in multi-day fishing activities have faced this issue. Adding that multi-day fishing vessels engage in fishing activities for nearly two consecutive months once they leave the shore, he said that some such vessels that set off nearly two months ago are still at sea. 

“At present, over 2,200 multi-day fishing vessels are engaged in their livelihood at sea,” he said, adding that this number however is lower than usual, as typically around 3,000 multi-day vessels remain at sea on any given day. According to him, around 16,000-17,000 fishermen are working on these vessels, and that they do not get a chance to vote as they are at sea.

Stating that this situation is observed during every election, Kahawatte said that although fishermen were informed to cast their vote, practical reasons surrounding multi-day fishing activities such as costs have prevented them from coming to shore to vote.