The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, under Standing Order 27(2), in response to the question raised by the Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna on 2025.09.11, I table the answer.

¶ 02 Answer tabled:

¶ 03 Under Section 46 of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act, No. 2 of 1996, officers empowered as authorized officers—Fisheries Inspectors, and officers of the Navy and Coast Guard Department—carry out relevant inspections and raids and take legal action against illegal fishing activities in Sri Lankan territorial and high seas.

¶ 04 Accordingly, information on the number of cases filed in respect of the Northern and Eastern Districts by the Department for 2024 and up to end-August 2025 is as follows:

¶ 05 Jaffna: 2024 – 256; 2025 – 60 Mullaitivu: 2024 – 55; 2025 – 103 Mannar: 2024 – 70; 2025 – 41 Trincomalee: 2024 – 154; 2025 – 97 Batticaloa: 2024 – 06; 2025 – 33 Kilinochchi: 2024 – 23; 2025 – 26 Kalmunai: 2024 – 04; 2025 – 02 Total: 2024 – 568; 2025 – 362

¶ 06 (Additional details are included in the Annex.)

¶ 07 Further details by district and offence (selected extracts):

¶ 08 Jaffna – Cases filed for: illegal gear use; catching/possession of prohibited species; fishing with artificial light; unauthorized Indian operations; fishing without valid licences; other illegal acts. Totals: 2024 – 256; 2025 – 60.

¶ 09 Batticaloa – 2024 – 06; 2025 – 33. Kilinochchi – 2024 – 23; 2025 – 26. Mannar – 2024 – 70; 2025 – 41. Trincomalee – 2024 – 154; 2025 – 97.

¶ 10 In relation to administrative matters, with effect from 2025.07.30, the District Assistant Director (Mullaitivu) was transferred; the officer acting in that post was released back to his substantive post in Kilinochchi. His permanent residence is close to Kilinochchi.

¶ 11 The Department has instructed district officers to take legal action based on complaints and reports on illegal fishing activities, and to maximize limited human and physical resources for raids and legal action. Awareness programmes for fishers are conducted continuously to discourage practices harmful to fishery resources.

¶ 12 Accordingly, during the eight months ending 31 August 2025 alone, in the Northern and Eastern districts, the Department conducted 362 raids and instituted cases as per the law.

¶ 13 Regarding Kurikattuwan: there are no development projects or activities under this Ministry at that location.

¶ 14 Regarding the Myliddy Fisheries Harbour: phased development is being implemented under four stages. Cabinet approval has been obtained for Stages I, II, and III. Key works include: - Stage I (2018.06.22–2019.03.13): dredging (1.37 ha), jetty construction (50 m), fuel office, diesel/kerosene tanks, and dispensing unit. - Stage II (2021.10.29–2024.02.09): rehabilitation of main (260 m) and secondary breakwaters, navigation lights, jetty construction. - Stage III (2025–2026, procurement ongoing): fish auction hall, canteen, toilet, administrative and security buildings, manager’s quarters, dormitory, internal roads, boundary wall, lighting and landscaping, extension of jetty and harbour deepening. - Stage IV (2027–2029): to be planned based on further study.

¶ 15 Under the Foreign Fishing Boats Act, No. 1 of 2018 (as amended), 30 prosecutions have been instituted this year against unauthorized Indian fishing operations; 15 Indian trawlers have been confiscated upon conclusion of cases.

¶ 16 On sea cucumber aquaculture: suitable sites are identified by NARA and then jointly assessed by the Department of Fisheries, Divisional Secretariat, Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management Department, and NAQDA. Only suitable growers are recommended. Therefore, allegations of farm-related pollution are not accepted.

¶ 17 On staffing: there have been many vacancies in technical posts of the Department; necessary approvals for recruitment were not granted earlier. After the new Government assumed office, approvals have been received: - Cabinet Decision No. AMP/25/0399/802/004-11 of 2025.03.10: recruitment of 10 Engineering Assistants (open). - Cabinet Decision No. AMP/25/0305/802/004-1 of 2025.02.19: 64 posts; and GOV/0855/802/004-IV: 51 posts—total 115 for Fisheries Inspector Grade III (open). - 27 Radio Officers also approved. Examinations and interviews are scheduled on 08, 18 and 19 October 2025.

¶ 18 For 12 Assistant Director vacancies, Cabinet Decisions AMP/23/1355/605/012-⅕/1 of 2023.07.31 and AMP/23/1172/605/012-⅕ of 2023.07.11 approved recruitment. Competitive exams held and interviews completed; final appointments are pending, delaying replacement of officers acting in district duties.

¶ 19 Annual transfers for Assistant Directors were called on 2025.01.30, prioritizing service requirements and officers with over five years in post. Initial transfers made accordingly. A further phase will include Colombo, Kalutara, Galle, Matara, Tangalle, Puttalam and Mahawawa district offices.