SL Navy chases away Tamil fishermen from the seas off Kayts

[TamilNet, Sunday, 29 May 2011, 16:43 GMT]
Sri Lanka Navy on Friday chased away hundreds of Tamils fishermen from Vadamaraadchi and Kurunakar North, engaged in fishing in the seas off Melignchi-munai of Ooraath-thu'rai (Kayts), blocking them from engaging in fishing in the seas off the islets. The fishermen said they have been fishing in the seas off Ooraath-thu'rai for many years with the permission from the fishermen association of Kayts. Sri Lanka Navy has chased the Tamil fishermen away to bring in Sinhala fishermen from south to occupy the fishing resources of Tamils, the fishermen alleged.

Due to the limited space for fishing in Vadamaraadchi and Kurunakar North, the fishermen were allowed to fish in the seas off Ooraath-thu'rai.

The fishermen also alleged that the EPDP was also abetting the SLN in allowing the Sinhala fishermen occupy the fishing resources in Jaffna.

A major naval base of Sri Lanka Navy is located in Ooraath-thu'rai.

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