Colombo (AsiaNews) - Fishermen in Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar and Mullathivu (districts in northern Sri Lanka) have demanded the intervention of New Delhi to stop the continued violation by Indian fishermen of the territorial water limits. "There is a law that sets out the areas of interest of India and Sri Lanka, but is not enforced. There is a need for immediate action by both governments. It is a national issue, not only in Jaffna and other districts of the north ", said leaders of fishing communities at a press conference held in Colombo on March 15 last, organized by the Alliance of Northern Province Fisher People with the help of NAFSO. Bottom trawling practiced by India destroys the marine ecosystem and depletes resources, causing serious economic and social damage to those communities. In the northern districts of Sri Lanka in fact, fishing is one of the most important economic activities and is often the only source of livelihood for those who live in those areas.

Soosai Anandan, a professor at the University of Jaffna and activist for the rights of fishermen, says that because of violation of Indian fishermen, Sri Lanka is losing 50% of production, about 500 million rupees every year. Het stresses that "the necessary laws exist but are not applied. There must be a joint effort by the departments that monitor the fisheries of both countries. "

"We are a country that has suffered 30 years of war. Many people were maimed and cannot conduct trawling. We are calling on Indian fishermen in our waters not to destroy our national resources and allow us fish in peace, "said Francis Joseph, a fisherman in the district of Kilinochchi.

NAFSO has played an active role since 2003 to solve the problems of Sri Lankan fishermen. The association says that there should be a negotiation at the state level by both countries to resolve this issue in an appropriate and definitive way. According to the Alliance, 120 thousand fishermen and at least 30 thousand families live in the northern districts of Jaffna, Kilinochchi and Mannar.