Hon. Ajith Gihan

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, earlier Hon. Hector Appuhamy alleged an assault on a group of our multiday fishers, suggesting the Indian Coast Guard was responsible. Our Minister and Deputy Minister of Fisheries intervened immediately. India officially denied involvement in writing. An assault did occur and our fishers were in distress. We deployed Navy craft, brought them ashore, hospitalized them, and requested an investigation from India while pursuing our own. We are committed to finding who did this.

¶ 02 On beach-seine (ma-dal) fisheries, there have been protests. A small group seeks to mechanize operations by using tractors, which damages shorelines, seabeds, and resources, harming small-scale fishers. A former minister, Mahinda Amaraweera, granted 183 permits that could not lawfully be granted. Beach-seine is a traditional industry and must be regulated. The 1984 Beach Seine Regulations already exist; we are ready to implement them. There is no adverse effect on lawful beach seines: all nets can be set as traditional circles by hand. Not everything can be mechanized; we must protect marine resources and coasts.

¶ 03 From Puttalam to the North, some use 4 tractors to drag nets, causing coastal and seabed damage and harming small fishers. We negotiated: from 01 January 2026 the tractor ban applies, with a transition agreed with stakeholders in June–July 2025, and written instructions to inform permit holders followed. A group nonetheless petitioned court seeking tractor use. While the case is pending, they protest for permissions. Laws and regulations prohibit tractor use. We will discuss their issues but cannot permit illegal methods. Fish can be harvested fairly; do not destroy the environment or harm others.

¶ 04 Environmental groups are also preparing legal action. We must manage and protect resources so benefits are shared. We ask beach-seine operators: avoid illegal practices; present fair demands; the Minister and officials are ready to discuss and support lawful livelihoods. Thank you.