SLA accused of harassing Chavakachcheri fishermen

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 21 June 2005, 17:18 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) has extended its firing practice in Chavakachcheri lagoon in Jaffna district thus depriving the livelihood of more than one hundred fisher families in the area, fisheries societies in Thenmaradchchi division said in a complaint to the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) in Jaffna Tuesday.

Following the military operation in the early part of 2000, Sri Lanka Army imposed a ban on fishing in the entire Chavakachcheri lagoon. However, after the ceasefire agreement came into operation the SLA relaxed the ban and permitted fishing in a portion of the lagoon.

Later, the SLA reintroduced the ban and disallowed movement of fishermen in the released portion of the lagoon.

Now, the SLA has brought more parts of the lagoon under its control stating the area is needed for firing practice, fisheries societies further said their complaint.