Functioning radio signal could have saved fishermen

W P Dharmasena, Matara group corr

The radio signal equipment at Kapparathota, Weligama fisheries harbour have not been functioning for the last two months. Villagers who wanted to seek help from vessels to save the lives of fishermen during the recent stormy weather were unable to do so due to this reason, fishing community in Kapparathota complain.

More than 100 vessels benefited from the radio signal centre before it was rendered inoperative and the fishermen now have to contact the Mirissa radio signal centre. Villagers complain that several requests were made from the Fisheries Ministry to repair the signal equipment but to no avail.