JVP urges removal of restrictions on Trinco coastal villages

[TamilNet, Saturday, 12 July 2008, 12:35 GMT]
The Sinhala nationalist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), which is opposed to Rajapaksa government's move to hand over lands in Moothoor to India's infrastructure investment of Coal-Fired Power Plant, warned Friday that it would launch a protest campaign against the ruling UPFA government if it fails to meet the requirements of the fishermen along four coastal divisions including Moothoor. The government should lift the restrictions on fishing and extend the duration allowed for fishing in Trincomalee's coastal areas or pay monthly 20,000 rupees per family as relief for their livelihood until normalcy returns.

Trincomalee district JVP parliamentarian Jayantha Wijesekara said at special press briefing held in Sri Lankan Parliamentary complex Friday that his party expects a positive response from the UPFA government within two weeks time.

He added that thousands of fisher families living in four coastal DS divisions, Kuchchave'li, Trincomalee, Moothoor and Ki'n'niyaa in Trincomalee district have been undergoing immense difficulties in running their day to day life as they are deprived of their livelihood following the restriction imposed on fishing in the seas off Trincomalee by the Sri Lanka Navy citing security reasons.

The catch is very low during the limited hours of fishing and due to poor catch fishermen undergo hardships for their survival and are forced to sell out their belongings to raise money.

Water and electricity supplies to their houses are being disconnected due to non-payment of monthly bill, Mr.Jayantha Wijesekara said.

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