Fisheries issues to be discussed before Joint Investigation Committee

Ridma Dissanayake

Discussions will be held with India before the Joint Investigation Committee (JIC) of Sri Lanka and India on issues on the fisheries sector, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne said.

Sri Lanka and India are close friends. Friendship and brotherhood between the two countries has a long history. Any problem between India and Sri Lanka can be solved through negotiations, he said.

"We have taken measures to solve issues in the fisheries sector between Sri Lanka and India through discussions," he said.

Senaratne was addressing a ceremony to distribute fishing equipment in Mullaitivu. Fisheries vessels, engines, nets and other equipment were distributed among fishermen who resettled in the area after the humanitarian operation.

Sri Lankan fishermen go beyond their maritime boundary lines while Indian fishermen stray in to Sri Lankan seas. This cannot be approved. Using illegal fishing equipment is another problem. This has damaged the sea bed, the minister said.

The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry distributed 25 fishing vessels, 25 boat engines, 60 canoes, 200 sets of fish nets and maruwelpanna and rafters among the fishermen. Rs 17 million was spent for this project.

"We opened nine fish landing centres in the Mullaitivu district. We commenced 100 projects in the district under the Divi Neguma National Development Programme. We spent around Rs 350 million last year to uplift the livelihood of civilians in Mullaitivu," Senaratane said.

The minister said training has been provided to fishermen to use modern equipment for fishing activities and loans with low interest rates for them to begin self - employment ventures.