SLN bans fishing along Vadamaradchy coasts

[TamilNet, Sunday, 14 May 2006, 00:56 GMT]
Following the attack on Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) convoy east of Vettilaikerni seas by the Liberation Tigers Thursday, the SLN command in the Northern peninsula has banned fishing along the Vadamaradchy northern coastal areas stretching from Thondamannar, Valvettiturai to Munai, Katkovalam effective from Thursday, fisheries officials from Jaffna said.

More than 7000 fisher families from about 19 coastal villages have lost their means of livelihood by this ban, and face severe economic hardship, said spokesperson for Vadamaradchy fisheries union.

Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and SLN officials have informed the villagers that until new directives are issued by the security forces, fishermen should refrain from taking their boats out to the sea.

73,209 members from 16,799 fisher families make up 12% of the total population of Jaffna district, according to statistics released by the Jaffna Fisheries Commission.