Mannar District Fisheries Coordination Committee meeting was held at the auditorium of the Mannar District Secretariat under the patronage of Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Ramalingam Chandrasekar, with the aim of directly listening to the issues faced by the fishing community in the Mannar District and providing permanent solutions. The discussion commenced with a review of the progress of decisions taken at the previous Coordination Committee meeting, followed by extensive attention to the requests submitted by the district’s fisheries societies’ federations. Particular focus was placed on issues requiring urgent solutions, with the Minister, officials and representatives of the fishing community engaging in a comprehensive discussion.

Mannar District Secretary K. Kanageswaran explained the purpose of the discussion and the main issues faced by fishermen in Mannar. Attention was given to development measures aimed at enhancing the fisheries industry in the Mannar District, livelihood challenges faced by the fishing community and solutions related to these issues.

Fishermen pointed out that Indian trawler boats illegally entering the Mannar sea limits and engaging in bottom trawling were destroying marine resources as well as fish breeding grounds. They stated that coral reefs, seagrass beds and the natural habitats of marine life were being destroyed, while the illegal activities taking place particularly on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays were severely affecting the incomes of local fishermen on those days.

Responding to this, Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar stated that discussions would be held with the Indian side in the future to resolve the issue of Indian trawler boats. Although operations to apprehend Indian boats illegally entering Sri Lankan waters are continuing, the Minister said that preventive measures must be further strengthened as these activities are destroying marine resources and fish breeding grounds. He also stated that instructions had been given to the Navy in this regard and that he had requested that law enforcement operations be further expedited.

Fishermen stated that the absence of a proper fisheries harbour in the Mannar District creates considerable difficulties in safely anchoring fishing boats during adverse weather conditions, and that a secure anchorage is essential for boats engaged in multi-day and deep-sea fishing activities. It was also pointed out that there are insufficient facilities even to accommodate Indian trawler boats that are apprehended. It was revealed that a feasibility study had previously been conducted regarding the construction of a fishery harbour in Mannar, but that the project could not proceed due to opposition from local residents. Officials stated that the feasibility of constructing an anchorage in the Silavathurai area was also being examined. The Minister stated that the views of local residents would be sought and that the next steps would be taken after the feasibility was formally assessed by the relevant officials.

It was revealed during the discussion that severe coastal erosion in several coastal areas of the Mannar District has affected fishing landing sites, coastal roads and fishermen’s houses, while seawater was also flowing into low-lying areas. In particular, 13 locations, including the Talaimannar Pier and Uppukulam–Janathanagar, have been identified as areas affected by coastal erosion. The Minister instructed officials to conduct appropriate studies and take the necessary measures promptly to protect the coastline in these areas.

Regarding the request made by fishermen to provide formal permission for fishermen to remain overnight on Kachchatheevu Island, the Minister sought information from the Navy. The Navy stated that there were certain security concerns regarding Kachchatheevu and that an appropriate response would be provided after discussions with senior officials.

It was also stated that from 2019 to 2025, 72 fishermen had been permitted to engage in fishing using Purse Seine nets, while the number of such licences had been reduced to 30 in 2026. Officials explained that priority had been given to licence holders who had continuously engaged in this method of fishing over the past three years. The Minister assured that the requests of fishermen who had lost their licences would also be discussed with the relevant officials and that efforts would be made to provide a positive response.

It was revealed that complaints were also being received regarding illegal activities by local trawler boats from other fishing zones within the Mannar District as well as from other districts. Fishermen expressed their concern that the use of prohibited bottom-trawling methods was obstructing traditional fishing activities, causing damage to fishing equipment and leading to conflicts between fishing groups. Responding to this, Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar stressed that the law would be strictly enforced, without distinction, against those using prohibited fishing methods, and that the full cooperation of the fishing community was also required to control illegal fishing activities.

The Minister further stated that the government would take appropriate measures to safeguard and enhance the livelihoods of the Mannar fishing community and provide permanent solutions to the issues prevailing in the fisheries sector. Members of Parliament representing the Vanni District, namely Mailvaganam Jagatheeswaran, Selvam Adaikkalanathan, Kader Masthan and Thureirasa Raviharan, 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 Mr. Susanta Kahawatta, the District Assistant Director of the Department of Fisheries, the Northern Province Assistant Director of the National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA), heads of government departments, representatives of fisheries societies, officials from the Navy and Police, and a large number of fishermen from the area participated in the occasion.