• Wants to encourage use of life jackets at sea
• Committee appointed to look in to safety shortcoming

The Government is considering options to encourage the use of life jackets among fishermen, adding that it has been pointed out as a step to improve fishermen’s safety.

Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Deputy Minister Rathna Gamage made this statement during a press briefing yesterday (29), where he expressed concerns about accidents involving fishermen and fishing vessels which seem to be on the rise. Pointing out that several such accidents have been reported during the past few weeks alone, he added that storms and vessel collisions have been identified as the reason for some of these accidents.

Noting that the Navy, Air Force and the Police are conducting continuous operations to ensure fishermen’s safety, Gamage explained that more systematic and long-term steps are also necessary. According to him, the ministry has appointed a committee led by the Fisheries Department’s Director General, and joined by the Navy, Army and the Air Force. This committee will investigate safety-related concerns faced by fishermen, identify lapses, and recommend solutions to address the identified issues. The minister stressed that he will take action as soon as the committee issues its report.

Meanwhile, the body of one of the two fishermen who went missing after a multi-day fishing vessel capsized in the seas off the coast of Paravi Wella in Tangalle, has been recovered. The Sri Lanka Navy confirmed that the fisherman’s body was recovered during search operations, which were conducted with the assistance of the Sri Lanka Air Force .

The fishing vessel, named ‘Maxim Putha 1’, was carrying six fishermen when the accident occurred while returning to shore after poaching. A total of six fishermen were onboard the vessel when it capsized off the coast of Paravi Wella Beach in Tangalle, four of whom were rescued with the help of a dinghy. Efforts are underway to locate the remaining missing fisherman.

Meanwhile, three other boat accidents were reported over the weekend in seas off Galle, Kalutara and Hikkaduwa.