Employment assured for Jaffna graduates

by P.Krishnaswamy

Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic ResourceS Development Dr. Rajitha Senaratne told the Sunday Observer that he has submitted a Cabinet paper on employment opportunities to all unemployed graduates of the Jaffna campus. They will be offered State sector jobs after the paper is approved.

As part of the many welfare projects implemented by the Ministry for the long-anguished Northern fisherpeople, freezer trucks were being engaged to transport their catch to get a good price, he said. Seven trucks were being engaged at present and the number will be increased, he said.

The Proposals from certain quarters in India for a common fishing zone to include the traditional fishing grounds of the Northern fishermen and alternate days of fishing for either side have not been acceded to and the fishing zones will be protected through the deployment of the Navy and the Coast Guard, he said. A Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) will be in place before too long to prevent Northern fishing vessels straying into territorial waters of India and other neighbouring countries.

The South Indian states and the Indian Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands have agreed to release Sri Lankan fishermen without producing them in Court, the Minister said.