FISHERMEN AFFECTED BY SEA EROSION IN ARACHCHIKATTUWA

Villagers are faced with a severe crisis due to the erosion along the sea in the fishing village of Muthupanthiya in Arachchikattuwa which is caused by the strong winds during these days.

The sea erosion has affected an area of 80 acres out of 130 acres in which 160 families are living in this fishing village.

Their only livelihood is the fishing industry and it has been curtailed due to this sea erosion.

The shrimp cultivation by a few fishermen has failed due to various reasons and some are contemplating to give it up due to unavailability of required facilities for the relevant industry to continue.

Due to sea erosion, the Muthupanthiya-udappuwa road which provides transport facilities for fishing resources is not in a good condition for the transport of fish which has been caught with the help of boats and fishing nets.

The sea erosion has affected a number of houses and the residents of the area said that there were no such strong

winds before in the history of this village.

Due to this situation, several coconut trees in the area have been tied with wires.

A boat belonging to Anthony Jude was damaged to a fallen coconut tree.

The Coast Conservation Department has taken steps to build a barrier to prevent further erosion. This fishermen have requested for a permanent solution for this problem as they contribute by earning valuable foreign exchange by fishing and shrimp cultivation.