The Kilinochchi District Fisheries Coordinating Committee meeting was held yesterday (11) afternoon at the District Secretariat auditorium under the patronage of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar, with the aim of directly inquiring into the issues faced by the fishing community in the Kilinochchi District and providing lasting solutions to them.

At the outset of the meeting, the decisions and progress of the previous Fisheries Coordinating Committee meeting were reviewed. Thereafter, the requests submitted by the district’s fishermen’s federations were examined at length, and matters requiring immediate solutions were also discussed.

Extensive attention was also focused on development measures to improve the fisheries sector in the Kilinochchi District, livelihood challenges faced by the fishing community and possible solutions to those challenges.

Representatives of the fishermen’s associations pointed out that their livelihoods have been severely affected by the increasing illegal incursions of fishing vessels from Jaffna, Mannar and Indian trawlers.

In response, Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar stated that legal action would be taken against those engaged in prohibited fishing activities.

The Minister also stated that an opportunity has now arisen to continue discussions aimed at finding solutions to the long-standing issues faced by Sri Lankan and Indian fishermen, and that the Indian side has extended an invitation for discussions.

“We are ready to hold discussions. These discussions are scheduled to take place in September or early October,” the Minister said.

The Minister also assured that necessary steps would be taken to improve the livelihoods of fishermen in the Kilinochchi District and provide practical solutions to the fundamental issues affecting the fisheries sector.

The meeting also focused on the suspension of construction work on 15 of the 28 prefabricated houses provided under Chinese government assistance in the Thattuvankotti Grama Niladhari Division, after it was stated that the relevant land belongs to the Department of Wildlife Conservation. The Minister said that discussions would be held with the relevant ministries and officials before taking further steps on the matter.

Discussions were also held on obtaining, through the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA), the feasibility study report required to issue licences for fishing using trap nets in the sea area from Anbupuram to Kautharimunai. The Minister instructed officials to examine the matter and take appropriate action.

Fishermen’s representatives also pointed out the need to deepen the fishing harbours located in several areas, including Anbupuram, Sebastiarpuram, Nachchikuda, Nallayan, Annai Velankanni and Kiranchi. The Minister also directed the attention of relevant officials to this matter.

Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar emphasised that the Government would take appropriate measures to protect and improve the livelihoods of the fishing community in the Kilinochchi District and provide lasting solutions to the issues affecting the fisheries sector.

Members of Parliament Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam and Sivagnanam Sritharan, Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Dr. B.K. Kolitha Kamal Jinadasa, Director General of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Susantha Kahawatta, Divisional Secretaries, the District Assistant Director of the Department of Fisheries, the Assistant Director of the Northern Province of the National Aquaculture Development Authority, heads and officials of government departments in the district, and a large number of representatives of fishermen’s associations participated in the discussion.