Fisherfolk protest illegal fishing activities in Point Pedro

by Ephraim
Apr 4, 2023

Fisherfolk from 14 unions gathered in front of the divisional secretariat office in Point Pedro to protest on Monday 3rd April. The protestors prevented the divisional secretariat employees from entering the office and also disrupted traffic in the area. 

The protesters demanded a solution for fishing using illegal means such as clap-net fishing, which in the past has not only affected the livelihoods of fisherfolk but also affected the ecology of the seas in the Northern Province. 

Due to the protest, there was a concentration of military personnel and police officers surveilling the fishermen in Point Pedro. The divisional secretary and the police engaged in a discussion with some of the leaders of the unions that were protesting and promised a solution for the matter within a week. Further, the protesters sent a letter to the Sri Lankan president via the divisional secretariat and claimed that if no solution is provided, there will be a district-wide protest regarding the issue.

Following these actions, the unionists decided to temporarily halt their protest.

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