Sri Lanka, India to discuss: COVID-19 spread through mid-sea contact of fishermen

By Kelum Bandara

The Joint Working Group on Fisheries between Sri Lanka and India is to discuss ways and means to prevent the possible spread of COVID-19 through fishermen of both sides contacting with each other at sea, a Minister said yesterday.

Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda told Daily Mirror there was the possibility of fishermen, particularly those in the north, getting infected and becoming spreaders.

He said some fishermen from both sides were reported to be in contact with each other for dubious deals such as smuggling turmeric, narcotics and gold.

He said the Joint Working Group would hold a virtual meeting. A date is to be fixed later.  “There is a request to propose a date. I discussed it with the President and the Prime Minister,” he said.