15 fishermen arrested in Kandakuly

by Mohammed Naalir

Fifteen people who allegedly used banned Laila nets to fish in Kandakuly off Kalpitiya were arrested by the police, Fisheries Ministry spokesman D.S. Narendra Rajapaksa told the Sunday Observer yesterday.

He said that Minister Dr. Senaratne informed President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Defence Secretary and the Navy as soon as he came to know about it and ordered to arrest them immediately, he said. Due to the immediate action taken by Minister Dr. Senaratne six engine boats and six engines were seized by the police, according to sources.

Due to such activities a number of dolphins were injured and over 50 dolphins have died, the spokesman said.National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) officials have also confirmed that the use of banned Laila fishing nets were the cause of death of the dolphins, he said. Now the dead dolphins are seen floating in the sea and also on the beach, according to the fishermen in the region. The Fisheries Ministry with the support of the Navy and fishermen in the area will stop such activities in the sea, he said.