Sri Lankan Minister Bimal Rathnayake Urges India, Tamil Nadu to Help Protect Livelihoods of Northern Sri Lankan Fishermen

A Combo Picture of Sri Lankan Minister Bimal Rathnayake and MP Thurairasa Ravikaran. Photo: Special Arrangement

“The Governments of India and Tamil Nadu must take Decisive Action Against Illegal Fishing in Sri Lankan Watters to Ensure That The Livelihoods of Northern Sri Lankan Fishermen Are Protected,” Rathnayake Told Parliament, as the Enduring Palk Bay Fisheries Conflict Came Under Sharp Focus in the Island Nation.

Intervening in the house on Wednsday (March 5, 2025), Mr. Rathnayake, who is minister of transport, highways, ports and civil aviation and leader of the house, said sri lanka has great appreciated the thought from Indian and Tamil Nadu During the Year War, by protecting people who fled to India, and the more recent support [during the economic crisis and floods],

“The real help, however, will be to help Protect our Northern Fishermen’s Livelihoods by Enforcing the Law on the Indian Side and Taking Decisive Action Against Ilelegal Fishing,” He Said. “The people of the north relay soly on fish for a living. I request the Indian government, as well as the tamil nadu government, to ensure that this main source of livelihood is not snatched away from them, “He said.

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‘Please let our fishmen live’

The sensitive bilateral issue is back under the spotlight in the sri lanka, after ilankai tamil arasu katchi (itak) Legislator thurairarasa ravikaran, who represtors Recently Moved an adjournment motion on the issue, amid the ongoing budget session. Making a passionate plea to Indian authorities as well as the Sri Lankan Government and Navy on Wednsday (March 5, 2025), He Said: “Please let our fishmen live!”

For well more than a decade now, war-affected their catch, while threatening their fragile livelihoods. In 2024, The Sri Lankan Navy Arrested More Than 540 Indian Fishermen on Charges of Illegal Fishing. This year, more than a 100 Indian fishmen have been arrested in the first two months alone. However, Northern Fishermen MainTain that Several Hundred more come to their seas to fish regularly.

In his intervention detailing the destructive effects of bottom trawling, Mr. Ravikaran said the fishing boats that engage in pair trawling mostly original Fishing Ground for a variety of fishes and shrimp. “The bottom trawling method is like a bulldozer. It indiscriminately scoops out all sorts of fish, including that that are not targeted. It damages our coral reefs, it destroys all marine organisms and causes severe environmental damage according to scientists, “He said.

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Pointing to scores of familys along the coast of Sri Lanka’s North and East Who Depend on Fisheries, He Said The Unresolved Problem Cold Have Socio-Economic Repecusions. “Over 500 Indian Trawlers come into our seas and ravage them periodically… Like a gang of thieves they take away all our fish. Why can’t the sri lankan navy take legal action? Please do’s’T ABandon Our Fishermen, “He Said, Urging Both Indian and Sri Lankan Authorities to act Swiftly. “Or Else, you will bring all our northern fishmen on to the streets.”

‘Take it up with PM Modi’

Tamil Progressive Alliance Leader and opposition mp mano ganesan, in Response to Mr. Rathnayake’s Remarks, Asked Him to take up the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is expected to visit Sri Lanka Early Next Month. “The assistance provided to our people during the war is a different matter. It has been over 15 years since the war ended. Please take it [fisheries issue] up for discussion [with Mr. Modi] To solve this serial livelihood Problem of our Northern People, “He Told the Government.

Last Week, Former Chief Minister of Sri Lanka’s Northern Provincial Council Cv Wigneswaran Wrote to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK STALIN, URGING HIM to TAKE STKE STAPS to Ending Fishing, and safeguard the livelihoods of ordinary fishmen in Tamil Nadu and Northern Sri Lanka.