The Alliance for Northern People Fishermen’s Association (NPFA) is seeking a meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa to request him to take a firm stand on stopping the intrusion by Indian fishermen into Sri Lankan waters and to take up the issue with the newly elected Tamil Nadu State Government and the Central Government of India.

The Spokesperson for the alliance Herman Kumar told the Daily Mirror the association wants the government to take a firm stand on the issue. He said the Sri Lankan fishermen’s associations; especially the ones that are representing the Northern fishermen do not have positive expectations even though a new state government led by Jayalalithaa was elected in Tamil Nadu.

“We don’t expect any positive change in the situation even with the new state government in Tamil Nadu as it is obvious that it will work towards the wellbeing of their fishermen and this is why we want the Sri Lankan government to take a firm stand,” he said.

He said the fishermen’s associations in Sri Lanka were looking at the situation closely especially now that the  Indian authorities have issued a temporary ban on trolling till May 31.

Mr. Kumar said the Alliance for the Northern People Fishermen’s Association intends to meet the ministers who are representing the North, including Minister Douglas Devananda after May 31 and then seek a meeting with President Rajapaksa.
Meanwhile, the Alliance had met officials from the Sri Lanka Navy in Mannar recently, where the Navy had assured they would support the Sri Lankan fishermen to engage in their industry. (Yohan Perera)