Maj. Gen. Tennekoon says no to scrapping fishing pass

[TamilNet, Monday, 22 November 2004, 11:34 GMT]
Maj. Gen. Sunil Tennekoon, Sri Lankan security forces commander for Jaffna, Sunday refused a request by the people of Manalkaadu, a village on the peninsula's southeast coast, to permit them to fish in the sea without the mandatory pass system. Maj. Gen. Tennekoon met residents of Manalkaadu at St. Anthony's Church in the village to discuss difficulties they face. Villagers told them that their biggest problem is the Sri Lanka army's pass system for fishing in the seas off the Manakkadu coast.

All fishermen in the area are required to have a special pass issued by the SLA to ply their trade.

Fishermen say the SLA pass hinders their livelihood because they set out to sea freely.

Meanwhile, Manalkaadu residents said Monday that an object, which they suspect to be a sea mine washed ashore during the weekend. Its lying on the beach as people are scared to go near the explosive object.

Sunil Tennekoon refused to do away with fishing pass.