Minister Douglas Devananda says that the actions to control the activities of Indian Fishermen should be expanded and implement a mechanism with immediate effect, in order to strengthen the security in Fishing Districts.
The Minister of Fisheries stated this during the special discussions with Navy Officials and the relevant Fishing Ministry Officials in connection with the controlling of the encroachment of Indian Fishermen, held today.
The Minister further stated that narrow-minded parties like Tamil National Alliance are trying to use the Indian Fishermen’s issue wrongly and creating any unhealthy situation between the two countries cannot be acceptable.
He added that the Naval Force’s operations are not sufficient enough during this situation where hundreds of Indian Trawlers encroach our sea territory.
Expressing views at the discussion, the Naval Forces Officer stated that during the past months, Navy operations were carried out limitedly due to extreme weather conditions. He assured that the operations will be intensified in the future.
At the discussions, it was discussed that the illegal fishing activities of local fishermen too should be controlled and to control the involvement of local fishermen in smuggling activities.
Therefore, it was decided to appoint advisory Committees in all the Fishing Districts and to include the higher officials of the Fisheries Ministry, Naval Forces, and the representatives of the Fishermen’s Association, in these committees
