SLN harasses fishermen, confiscates boats, in Jaffna islet seas

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 30 December 2008, 11:07 GMT]
Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) troopers in Oorkaavattuirai (Kayts) arrested 12 fishermen fishing with Sri Lanka Army issued fishing pass Monday morning on Paalaitheevu seas close to the islets of Jaffna. The SLN confiscated the passes, 36 boats, fishing equipment and the catch from the 12 fishermen and took them to their base in Oorkaavattu’rai.

The fishermen are from Paasaiyoor and Kurunakar areas and they were fishing on boats fitted with outboard motors with the fishing pass issued by SLA.

After occupying Poonakari, the SLA had allowed fishing in the Jaffna lagoon and the seas of the islets during daytime on boats with outboard engines and issued passes to the fishermen.

The SLN, however, do not accept the SLA fishing pass and continues to arrest fishermen, confiscate their boats, gears and the passes too, the fishermen said.

The 12 fishermen, released Monday evening, have appealed to their fisheries societies organisations to help them get back their boats, equipments and the passes.