FISHERIES MINISTER CALLS FOR REPORT

11 drowned off K’kurunda

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Mahinda Amaraweera yesterday directed the Kalutara District Fisheries Director to submit a report on the drowning of 11 boat passengers in the sea off Katukurunda on Sunday. He said strict action would be taken against the boat owner who had violated the Fisheries Ministry guide lines on boat trips. The minister said the preliminary investigations had revealed that the ill-fated boat was a multi-day fishing boat and not fit for carrying passengers. It could have a crew of four who must all be fishermen.

“We are told that more than 30 passengers travelled in this boat without any safety measures. For pleasure trips, the wearing of life jackets is compulsory. The boat crews are strictly advised to make sure that all passengers wear life jackets before they start sailing. This had not happened on Sunday,” the minister said.

He said the fishing permit issued to the boat owner had

We are told that more than 30 passengers travelled in this boat without any safety measures. For pleasure trips, the wearing of life jackets is compulsory

been suspended and that legal action would be taken against those responsible for the senseless loss of 11 lives.

The minister said several other fishing boats had also been used on Sunday for pleasure trips from this spot and the permits of the owners of those boats would also have their licences suspended.

Meanwhile, President Maithripala Sirisena expressed his deepest condolences to the next of kin of the 11 killed in the boat tragedy. As soon as he received the news the President advised the relevant authorities, including the Sri Lanka Navy and the Police to take prompt and adequate measures to save the lives of the remaining passengers on the boat.