The Sri Lanka Navy has been instructed to take decisive action to prevent the unauthorised entry of Indian fishermen into the country’s territorial waters and to crack down on drug trafficking operations disguised as fishing activities.
This directive was issued during a high-level meeting held at Parliament between the Ministry of Fisheries and the Ministry of Defence, chaired by Minister of Fisheries Ramalingam Chandrasekhar.
Key attendees included Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekara, Deputy Minister of Fisheries Ratna Gamage, secretaries of both ministries, senior officials, and the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy.
The meeting addressed various concerns, including illegal fishing practices, disputes over fishing lands, and operational challenges at fishing ports. Special attention was given to the use of banned fishing equipment and the growing concern over Indian fishermen intruding into Sri Lankan waters.
Officials highlighted that drug smuggling operations are increasingly being carried out under the guise of fishing, presenting serious risks to national security and marine ecosystems.
Consequently, the Navy has been empowered to implement robust measures to protect the country’s maritime boundaries and ensure the safety and sustainability of its fishing industry.
