|
|
|
  |
| Sunday, 13 March 2005 |
 |
|
 |
Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Snapshots of the East : Access denied From Elmo Leonard in Kalmunai The Kalmunai anchorage intended to be developed as a fisheries harbour has no access to the sea, for the sand bars resulting from the tsunami of December 26, has built a total blockade preventing sea water from entering the adjoining canal.
The Canadians were prompt in rebuilding the road and the bridge damaged by the tsunami to provide movement for the fish catch.A. Farook, an owner of two fishing boats said that the only positive aspect in Kalmunai since the tsunami struck, is the building of the bridge and the clearing of debris by the JVP. "Next time I will vote for the JVP, but I hope they will complete the fisheries harbour on hold for five years," Farook said. The Kalmunai canal goes eight miles inland and then opens into a river, the people of the village said in Tamil, speaking through willing interpreters. Before the tsunami there were 600 catamarans, they said. Another interrupted to say that when the intended fisheries harbour is built, it could house well over 1,000 fishing boats, including any number of multi-day fishing craft. The Kalmunai anchorage counted 300,28 feet fishing craft before the tsunami, 160 of which were damaged, Farook said. In addition, this anchorage had 600, 21-foot fishing craft, 500 of which were damaged, Abdul Carder another fisherman confirmed. There were also 300 boats with outdoor motors, 200 of which were damaged by the tsunami. Fifty fishing craft which lay long nets or madal were all lost. Fishing nets and accessories, were all lost, not to speak of their dwelling. They live in the hope that the authorities or some kind NGO will make good the damage and also build a fisheries harbour for them.
|
|
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Produced by Lake House |
The sand dredger lying nearby, intended to open up the canal at times
like this lies badly damaged by the destruction. The 5,850 surviving
fishermen (150 of them died in the tsunami) of this exclusive Muslim peopled
fishing village live in the hope of having the anchorage opened into the sea
and later being developed into a fisheries harbour. 
