Northern fisherfolk stage protest against outsiders

By Romesh Madusanka   

Fisherfolk in the North staged a protest in Vadamarachchi compelling the government to prevent the entry of fishermen from other areas into the sea off the North. The protest had been organised by Fisheries Organisations.   
Representatives of Fisheries Organisations said hundreds of fishermen from Puttalam, Chilaw, Negombo and Kalpitiya areas fishing in the deep sea off the North had been going on much to the anxiety of the local fisherfolk but their representations to the successive governments in this regard had fallen on deaf ears.   

They pointed out fishermen from other areas used purse seine nets and other banned fishing gear and that it was going on unchecked.   

The protestors dispersed after handing over a memorandum to the Maradankeni Divisional Secretariat requesting the government to intervene and resolve the issue.