Poaching by Indian Fishermen
The Indian Fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan Waters has become annoying and ashamed news for us. We frequently hear and watch on TV that Indian fishing trawlers have damaged the fishing nets and various other equipment of our fishermen especially in the northern sea territory.
It is also indigestible that these unlawful fishing activities in Sri Lankan waters is constantly continuing without being stopped. It is an incomprehensible riddle that after several warnings given by the government of Sri Lankan how the Indian fishermen penetrate into our waters. They are in a way violating the territorial laws and human rights.
India is one of our neighbouring countries and we have been maintaining our diplomatic relationships with them for a quite long period of time. It is very often Officials and the fishing communities of both countries hold bilateral talks with each other to handle the issues of crossing the frontier of Sri Lankan sea territorials and violating and damaging the nets and equipment in Sri Lankan waters but so far to my knowledge they have failed to find sustainable solutions to these burning issues of the northern fishing community.
It is quite apparent that on the one hand, the fishing community in the north has to bear the heavy loss made by the illegal poaching along the northern sea line by the Indian fishermen repeatedly on the other hand they are compelled to leave their livelihoods in the region. They also cry and claim that their grievances should be heard by the government, a conscience and concrete solution should be given to this poor and pathetic situation.
The government should take necessary action against this illegal issue of crossing the country's legal territory and should not leave the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of fishermen who survive and save their families with the income they earn from fishing every day. They also further lament that the COVID-19 pandemic hit their stomach severely and unlawful poaching by Indian fishermen is further flaming the fire by making the situation bad to worse.
We also witness they hold several protests against this unlawful and inhuman act of Indian fishermen but all their picketing and protesting end in smoke. By any sense the situation has reached the serious scent that compels the government and relevant authorities to find a tangible solution to these irritating issues.