Fishing restrictions in East eased
DHARMA SRI ABEYRATNE
Under the advice of the President Mahinda Rajapaksa the Government
has eased the restrictions imposed on fishing time yesterday.
As a result of the humanitarian mission to free the country from the
LTTE clutches, the Government has decided to allow fishermen to fish
during the whole day in the Eastern sea except the Trincomalee harbour
area.
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Senior Presidential Advisor Parliamentarian,
Basil Rajapaksa |
The Government's decision was conveyed to the fishermen in the East
by Senior Advisor to the President, Parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa
yesterday. However, fishermen who use 'Teppan' are allowed to fish
between 4 a.m. and 6 p.m. Parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa said so when
he met fishermen of the Muthur and Trincomalee areas.
Additionally, the 24 hour ban imposed on fishing in the Trincomalee
harbour area has also been revised by the Government. Accordingly,
fishermen are allowed to fish in the harbour area from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m.
However, boats which are used in the harbour area have to obtain the
approval of the Navy.
Accordingly, the boats are singed and modified with using aluminum
boards so as to be identified by the Navy radar.
After receiving Navy approval, the Government will take measures to
settle the expenses through the Provincial Councils, Basil Rajapaksa, MP
added.
"Discussions are under way to discontinue the current limitation of
using certain out-boat engines. The Government in the future would
probably allow the use of 25 HP outboard engines.
We are able to take all these measures since our brave Security
Forces were able to eradicate LTTE terrorism" he added.
However, a security mechanism has to be setup when granting approval
for fishing in the Trincomalee harbour area, Navy Commander Wasantha
Karannagoda said.
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Minister Felix Perera said that in
the past two thirds of Sri Lanka's coastal area was not under Government
control. Therefore, the Government had to import fish for $ 70 million.
"With the recent victory there is no need to import fish spending
millions of rupees" the Minister said. |
