Peace for the World

Peace for the World
First democratic leader of Justice the Godfather of the Sri Lankan Tamil Struggle: Honourable Samuel James Veluppillai Chelvanayakam

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Fishermen protest over lack of budget concessions 

By Chrishanthi Christopher-
October 30, 2014 

A protest, organized by southern fishermen, at the Matara bus terminal, against the government's budget for 2015 and demanding concessions, was brought to a halt through an order issued by the Matara Magistrate's Court on 28th October.
National Organizer of the All Island General Fisheries Federation, Ratna Gamage said that the fishermen were protesting against the lack of direct concessions to the fishing community in the Budget 2015.
 
He said that the Budget has not provided any relief to fishermen and that the protesting fishermen were demanding that the government take action against the European Union (EU) ban on Sri Lankan fish exports to the countries in the Union.
Gamage said that the Budget 2015 had only spelt out rehabilitation of fisheries harbours and anchorage areas and maintenance of multi-day vessels and day vessels belonging to the fishermen. "The concessions mentioned in the Budget do not have any direct bearing on our livelihood," he said.
 
The protest that started around 2.00 p.m. ended within two hours with the fishermen dispersing.

Meanwhile, Media Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resoures Narendra Rajapakse said that the Minister has fulfilled five of the six conditions called for by the EU to have the ban lifted. According to him, only the satellite system that would monitor vessels from straying into the territorial waters of other countries remains to be implemented. "We need to put the proposal before the Cabinet for approval," he said.

Minister Rajitha Senaratne said that once all conditions are fulfilled, he plans to go and personally meet the EU representatives and get the ban revoked.