The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Deputy Chairperson. I am pleased to participate in the Committee Stage debate of the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic Resources and Marine Resources.

¶ 02 Since the Minister is here, I will point out several matters. In the North, the biggest problem for fishermen is Indian fishermen illegally entering Sri Lankan waters and destroying our fishermen’s livelihoods, especially in Jaffna District. Daily, property worth crores is being destroyed.

¶ 03 These illegal activities happen while the Navy has bases across the North and East, occupying public lands and establishing camps over kilometres, which raises the question: why this heavy presence in the North and East — unlike in the South — yet they fail to prevent foreigners from poaching and destroying our fishery? The Ministry must pay compensation for the daily losses.

¶ 04 Previous governments showed no concern; we accuse them of acting with racist intent, even placing a Tamil Minister in this Ministry while planning to destroy fisheries in the North and East. Your Government claims not to act from such a racist perspective; therefore, your Ministry must compensate these people.

¶ 05 A former Fisheries Minister argued that since Tamil fishermen in the North and East fish nearshore and do not earn much, they should buy multiday boats and go deep sea, but said Tamil fishermen do not like to work hard. Even as a Tamil Minister, he demeaned the people. If the Government truly wanted northern fishermen to go deep sea, it should have provided facilities. For 30–35 years they could hardly fish due to war and restrictions. Now, as they try to lift their heads, the Government should provide a robust financial system and assistance. A multiday boat requires at least Rs. 25 million investment; they cannot afford it. Empty talk is useless. Intervene and provide the needed economic support free of charge if necessary, especially as you represent Jaffna. Otherwise, we will conclude your Government is like the ones that deliberately drove them into economic crisis.

¶ 06 After developing the Myliddy fishery harbour, there is still no benefit to local fishermen. It mainly serves boats from other districts, especially the South, and stores seized Indian poaching vessels. Locals remain stranded. Please hand management to the Jaffna District Fishermen’s Federation or the Northern Province Fishermen’s Federation so that locals gain benefits.

¶ 07 In Nayaru, Mullaitivu, fishermen from Negombo, Puttalam and Kalpitiya usually arrive around April; now under your Government they came in January, amassing permanently, with help from retired officials and with Navy assistance, intimidating locals and engaging in fishing in violation of rules. Around 45 boats operate there, harming locals. You must stop this and ensure each district’s fishermen fish in their own sea area rather than outsiders, especially given the war-torn communities.

¶ 08 In Kudaarappu, Vadamarachchi East, the Ministry has granted sea cucumber permits to outsiders. Only two locals should have permits, but officials have used locals’ names to grant about 300 permits to people from the South. Although permits allow only daytime operations, they fish at night using lights and even dynamite, destroying resources and local nets. About 1,200 people are at sea at night under this pretext in a small area — the impact is severe. Please put a stop to this immediately.

¶ 09 Lastly, from Karkovalam to Neduntivu, the fish landing sites must be dredged and protective groynes built so boats can berth safely. I requested this at the DCC. It does not require huge funds; strengthening existing groynes is possible. In 2001 during the ceasefire, some works were done; later, nothing. You promised at the DCC to start immediately, but no action yet. Also, fully develop the coastal access roads. After the tsunami, people moved inland under conditions, and now face terrible access roads to the sea. As a Minister representing the North, please provide urgent solutions. Thank you.