Govt eases fishing curbs in Jaffna

COLOMBO: The Government has eased fishing restrictions in Jaffna in the aftermath of the regaining of Pooneryn, Military Spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said yesterday.

With the entire North Western seaboard now controlled by the Security Forces, the Security Forces have lifted restrictions on fishing hours and perimeters in the Jaffna seas, Brigadier Nanayakkara said.

Jaffna fishermen can now sail any distance on a daily basis between 6.30 a.m. - 4.00 p.m. exceeding the three kilometre limit earlier in force.

Earlier, security concerns prevented fishermen in Gurunagar, Pasivur and Columbuthurai areas in Jaffna from going into deep waters for fishing beyond the radius of three kilometres. They also had to return before 3.00 p.m. with their catch.

“Those restrictions adversely affected the fishermen, but the Forces had to enforce them due to the presence and activities of Tigers only a few kilometres away in Pooneryn,” he said.

According to the Security Forces, the relaxed measures have enabled the fishermen to net a bigger catch and increase their incomes substantially as they have already been in effect for a couple of days.

There are 1,217 registered fishermen using 215 fishing boats in and around Jaffna. Their catch includes tuna, prawns, mullet, crabs, seer and other varieties.

The fishermen have told the troops that they are now able to catch at least 8,000 - 10,000 kgs of fish daily due to the relaxation of fishing restrictions.

Meanwhile, at least 120 terrorists have been killed in Muhamalai, Adampan to the south of Paranthan-Pooneryn road and in Kumulamunai over the weekend, defence sources said. They said more than 80 Tigers have been seriously injured.

The Tigers were killed in heavy fighting with the Forces advancing towards Kilinochchi spearheaded by 57 Division and Task Force I troops. The soldiers regained a stretch of more than 1 km towards Therumurukkandy junction by Sunday (23) afternoon. Fighting in Pudumurippukulam saw an area of about 2 sq km fall into Army hands.

Task Force I, advancing from a different direction towards north of Adampan smashed several LTTE strong points

on an earth-bund built by the LTTE. In Muhamalai, 53 and 55 Division troops captured the LTTE’s first Forward Defence Line (FDL) on Thursday. Twenty seven soldiers have made the supreme sacrifice in these clashes on several fronts. Heavy clashes are continuing along the Kilinochchi outskirts as the Army infantrymen are steadily advancing on to the remaining LTTE defences in the area.