More than 100 turtles found dead

By Romesh Madusanka   

More than 100 turtles had been found dead in the sea off the North, much to the anxiety of the fisherfolk and environmentalists.   

The fishermen attribute it to the use of prohibited fishing gear by the Indian poachers who enter Sri Lankan waters. They pointed out that carcasses of hundreds of turtles had been found on the shore in Kashurina, Kowalan and Karainagar beaches in Jaffna.   

They said they noticed several injured turtles among them.   

Meanwhile the live turtles found on the beach were released to the sea by the Navy and the fishermen.   

The fisherfolk said the turtle population in the sea off the North was facing the threat of extinction due to the activities of the Indian poachers. They expressed concern about the lethargic attitude of the relevant authorities in this regard.