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Sri Lankan Navy denies fisherman of livelihood

The Sri Lankan Navy has banned fishing for Tamil fisherman in most sections of the north seas of the Jaffna peninsula, a coastal area where High Security Zones have already restricted fisherman from earning a living. Fisherman families are struggling since many rely on their daily earnings to provide for their families.

Just over one week ago, on 28 December 2005, the Sri Lankan Navy closed off fishing areas in Valikamam West, Mathahulthurai, Mathahulpothithurai, Mareesankudal, Kussumamthurai and Sumvilthurai. This ban left 850 fisherman families with little or no means to earn a living. Fisherman were unable to access even their eqiupment that they usually left by the shore. 275 boats and 75 catamarans were unusable due to this.

Last week the Sri Lankan Navy extended the same ban to fisherman in Aathikovil, Valvettiturai.

The ban was again further extended westward on the north coast of Jaffna peninsula from Thondamannaru to Valvai Urani. The fisherman in Thondamannaru, Mayileethanai, Oorikadu, Valvettiturai and Oorani have been left without work and are unable to feed their families.

The Consortium of Fisherman’s Society of Northern Province has issued an urgent complaint to SLMM about the severe threat this imposes on the lives of fisherman and their families. The Government Agent office has also been notified of the complaint. Consortium sources said that after SLMM met with the Northern Seas Navy Commander, the Navy Commander merely stated that they are restricting fisherman from working because of the unstable situation that prevails in Jaffna.

Fisherman families who lived in Jaffna have now started to move to LTTE administered areas where there is no such threat to their right to earn a living and provide for their families. A statistics report of the LTTE indicates that in the last few days up to 900 families have moved to the LTTE administered Vanni area on the east part of the island, south of Jaffna peninsula. Here, families say, they can work without restrictions.

Fisherman families say that the cordoning off of coastal areas in the Jaffna peninsula is a reminder of the war time and creates a strain on their day-to-day life, in particular feeding their children. Representatives of the Consortium said these repressive actions are a part of the armed forces’ overall agenda and is a clear indication of the deterioration of the environment created by the ceasefire.

07 January 2006

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