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Massive TN fishing fleet poaching in SL waters: Only India’s Central Govt. can halt it – Minister Chandrasekar

Published

1 month ago

2025/03/14

Thilina Walpola

Minister Chandrasekar

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar yesterday (13) emphasised that only the Central Government of India could prevent the Tamil Nadu fishing fleet from poaching in Sri Lankan waters.

The Minister said that the Central Government of India in consultation with Tamil Nadu should without further delay deploy the Indian Navy and Coast Guard to prevent large-scale organised crossing of the Indo-Lanka maritime boundary.

The JVPer said so when The Island asked him what he intended to do to curb poaching and the destructive fishing practice known as bottom trawling practised by the Tamil Nadu fishing fleet in our waters. “Our Navy and Coast Guard regularly conduct operations in the northern waters to deter the TN fishing fleet. But only India got the wherewithal to stop this menace,” Chandrasekar said.

Responding to another query, the lawmaker stressed that the NPP government would not hesitate to take a firm stand on the issue. “We believe that India should prevent TN fishing fleet from crossing the maritime boundary,” Minister Chandrasekar said, adding that during his interactions with relevant Indian authorities and diplomatic staff, including High Commissioner Santosh Jha, he had taken up the issue.

The Minister said that he had explained the difficulties experienced by the northern fishing community due to the Indian fishers stealing their catch, when Charles Callanan, Director, UNOPS South Asia paid a courtesy call on him recently. They may not intervene or comment on this matter but there was no harm in briefing them of the actual situation on the northern seas, the Minister said.

The people of the northern and eastern regions, too, overwhelmingly voted for the NPP, the lawmaker said, adding that therefore the problems faced by the northern and eastern fishers should be addressed.

Minister Chandrasekar said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had, during his three-day official visit to New Delhi in January, raised the issue at the highest level.

Asked whether he was aware of the protests that had been directed at Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader S. Sritharan, MP, over his recent visit to see Tamil Nadu fishermen held at the Jaffna prison, Minister Chandrasekar said an NPP lawmaker too visited them. “We never sought media coverage for our visit to Jaffna prison,” Minister Chandrasekar said, adding that the government was determined to push for tangible solutions for recurring issues.

Acknowledging that various interested parties both here and in India sought political mileage at the expense of poaching by the Tamil Nadu fishing fleet, Minister Chandrasekar said that Sri Lanka had no option but to continue naval operations to deter encroachments.

Quoting northern fishers, Minister Chandrasekar alleged that at the rate Tamil Nadu fishing fleet stole Sri Lanka’s fisheries resources nothing would remain in 15 to 20 years’ time. The minister appreciated the efforts made by the navy to protect the interests of Sri Lankan fishermen.

Tamil Nadu poaching can be an issue at the forthcoming Local Government polls. There had been several incidents involving the navy and Tamil Nadu fishing vessels during the past couple of years. One incident claimed the life of a Special Boat Squadron man while two Indian fishers were shot and wounded in another. The second incident prompted India to summon Sri Lanka’s Acting HC in New Delhi to the Foreign Office where a warning was issued over the incident.

Minister Chandrasekar said that India should take meaningful measures to stop illegal fishing, thereby avoiding unnecessary incidents. The minister acknowledged that in spite of quite a number of arrests over the years, the Tamil Nadu fishing fleet seemed bent on continuing with the lucrative practice.

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Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts

Published

16 hours ago

2025/04/27

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 26 April 2025, valid for 27 April 2025.

The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED

Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

Latest News

Minister of Foreign Affairs pays his last respects to Pope Francis

Published

16 hours ago

2025/04/27

Priyan

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath represented Sri Lanka at the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday [26]

News

RW to visit CIABOC on Monday

Published

18 hours ago

2025/04/27

Thilina Walpola

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe will appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) tomorrow (28) over the statement he had made on MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, his lawyers have informed the Commission.

Accordingly, the former President will appear before the commission at 9.30am on Monday.

Wickremesinghe was initially summoned by the Commission to CIABOC on April 17 in relation to a statement he had made about the corruption case filed against NDF (gas cylinder) MP Dassanayake.

In response to the previous summons, Wickremesinghe had indicated that he is prepared to appear before the commission but requested a different date citing that his lawyers will not be available in Colombo during the New Year holiday period.

Accordingly, a new was provided and Wickremesinghe requested to appear before the commission at 09.30 a.m. on Thursday (April 25).On April 7, Wickremesinghe had said that MP Dassanayake withdrew the fixed deposits belonging to the Uva Provincial Council, over which he is now facing corruption charges, in accordance with a circular issued during Wickremesingher’s tenure as Prime Minister.

The former President questioned whether the MP’s arrest over the matter was in response to Dassanayake’s vocal criticism of the government in parliament.

The sitting MP is currently in remand custody for allegedly misappropriating a sum of Rs. 1 million of the Uva Provincial Council in 2016.

He was taken into custody on March 27, over three separate corruption-related cases.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court previously granted bail in the cases filed against him but he remains in remand custody due to an order issued by the Badulla Magistrate’s Court.

According to the CIABOC, Dassanayake had solicited funds from three state banks, claiming they were intended to provide bags for preschool children in the province.

Two banks complied, granting him Rs. 1 million and Rs. 2.5 million, which were later transferred to his foundation account.

However, when a third bank refused to provide funds, Dassanayake reportedly retaliated by withdrawing the Uva Provincial Council’s fixed deposits from that institution.The CIABOC filed a case against the MP, citing the government incurred a financial loss of Rs. 17.3 million due to his actions.