Ministry probes dolphin massacre

Ridma Dissanayake

The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry will conduct an investigation into the alleged massacre of over 50 dolphins in the Kalpitiya sea on Tuesday.

This was after fishermen complained that the dolphins died after illegal methods were used for fishing.

Fisheries Department Director General Nimal Hettiarachchi said the ministry decided to send a team to Kalpitiya to probe the incident.

The dolphin massacre was reported in the Kalpitiya - Kaandakuliya area on January 29.

Over 50 dolphins died, according to fishermen in Kalpitiya. Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry sources said fishermen had complained that illegal nets had been used to catch the dolphins while it was also reported that dynamite was used for mass killing of dolphins.