Will not allow Indians to exploit SL marine resources : Douglas

● Indian poachers regularly entered the sea belt in the north of Battalangunduwa lsland and engaged in looting the fishing grounds belonging to Sri Lanka ● The fisher folk pointed out the hardships faced by them for want of fuel and requested the ministe

Minister of Fisheries Douglas Devananda said he would not allow the Indians to exploit fisheries resources in the Sri Lankan waters in lieu of India’s donation of food stuffs.

During his visit to the Kalpitiya fisheries harbour on Friday (05) to study the plan for the proposed development project to extend the jetty, he stressed that he would not allow Indians to exploit Sri Lanka’s marine resources.

The fisher folk explained the issues affecting them and requested him to intervene and resolve them. They pointed out that Indian poachers regularly entered the sea belt in the north of Battalangunduwa lsland and engaged in looting the fishing grounds belonging to Sri Lanka. The fishermen made representations regarding the court order preventing prawn farms and sought relief.

The fisher folk pointed out the hardships faced by them for want of fuel and requested the minister to work out a mechanism to supply them fuel as before.

The minister pointed out that it was not possible to take any alternative steps regarding prawn farms since court cases were pending and that action could be taken to provide relief after the case ended. He pointed out that the fuel crisis affected the entire country and that he took up the issue with several countries including Singapore and Malaysia and that he was awaiting a positive response.

He said he would make every effort to meet their requirements of kerosene.