Fishermen urged not to cross IMB

Ridma Dissanayake

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne made the fishermen in Mannar district aware of the International Maritime Borders (IMB) and requested fishermen, owners of fishing vessels and multi-day fishing boats not to cross it under any circumstances.

He was addressing the fishery conference of the Mannar district inaugurated recently under the patronage of the minister at Lusia Palmunai Vidyalaya, Mannar. The minister said that as a developing nation, communication is an important tool to achieve development goals. Improving Tamil proficiency among Sinhalese and Sinhala among Tamils will contribute to the country’s development greatly. “We as elders, should provide opportunities for our children to learn Sinhala, Tamil and English languages. I am committed to support the development of language proficiency among the Sinhalese and Tamils,” he said.

According to the minister, the Fisheries Ministry had allocated Rs. 202 million for modern technology and to develop the roads system in Mannar district. All construction work essential to the fishery industry in Mannar is to be completed by the end of this year.