Fishermen protest in Trincomalee, 2019
Tamil fishermen in Trincomalee organised a protest yesterday in front of the district clock tower, drawing attention to the growing presence of fishermen from other districts in their traditional fishing areas.
More than a hundred fishermen gathered in the site to express their disgruntlement with the woes caused by the use of larger fishing nets by fishermen from neighbouring districts.
The fishermen engage in traditional fishing methods including the use of small nets, which they say puts them at a disadvantage against fishermen who use larger nets and more sophisticated methods in their waters.
They demanded that the concerned authorities intervene and prohibit those fishermen who practise harmful methods of fishing and secure their own right to fish in their traditional waters.
The protest came to an end when the police arrived at the scene and discussed the issues raised by the protesters with their representatives.
