Fishermen from across Sri Lanka’s Northern Province gathered recently in Mullaitivu for a protest and conference organised by the Northern Province Fishermen’s Federation in collaboration with the National Fisheries Solidarity Movement.
Participants demanded urgent action to curb illegal fishing practices and safeguard the livelihoods of Tamil fishermen.
Meanwhile, 31 fishermen from Nagapattinam, along with their three fishing boats, were detained on November 3. In a separate incident, four fishermen from Ramanathapuram district were also apprehended along with their country craft.
Reacting to the arrests, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin urged India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday to initiate immediate diplomatic efforts with the Sri Lankan government.
Stalin stressed the need to secure the prompt release of all detained fishermen and their boats.
The standoff underscores longstanding disputes over maritime boundaries and illegal fishing, with local fishermen warning that continued encroachment by Indian trawlers threatens traditional livelihoods, disrupts fish stocks, and fuels growing resentment within Sri Lanka’s Northern Province fishing communities.
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