Talks on cross-border fishing issues

by P.Krishnaswamy

Cross-border fishing disputes and other related issues between Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu will be taken up for discussion with Tamil Nadu fishermen's associations and the State Government during the scheduled visit of Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Dr. Rajitha Senaratne to the Southern Indian State of Tamil Nadu shortly.

Minister Senaratne, Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Douglas Devananda and a nine-member delegation representing Northern fishermen's associations will visit the South Indian coastal cities of Rameswaram, Nagapatnam and Jegathapatnam. They will be engaged in discussions to reach mutual understanding on fisheries issues including poaching, cross-border fishing, apprehensions and clashes in the high seas, Minister Senaratne told the Sunday Observer.

They will visit Tamil Nadu on the invitation of the delegation of South Indian fishermen's associations that visited Sri Lanka a week ago, he said.

Work on the modern fish market with up-to-date facilities at Peliyagoda and the biggest fishing harbour in Dikowita in Gampaha district has been completed and will be opened in August, the Minister said.

The foundation for fish canning factory projects will be laid before the end of this year, the Minister said. He said discussions have been held with an Italian company and with John Keells Holdings for collaboration. Successful discussions have also been held with a Taiwanese company engaged in tuna fishing on having their fish harvest sold to Sri Lanka instead of Thailand, Minister Senaratne said.