Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Chithral Fernando met with Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, to request the use of Indian satellite technology developed by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) to help protect Sri Lankan fishermen operating in deep-sea areas.
In a statement shared on social media, MP Fernando said that during a visit to India last June as part of a delegation of young political leaders, he had the opportunity to tour ISRO in Bangalore. There, he learned about the organization’s DAT-SG (Distress Alert Transmitter – Second Generation) system, which uses satellite technology to alert authorities and prevent disasters at sea.
“After studying the matter further, I met with Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha and requested that steps be taken to introduce this technology to Sri Lanka, beginning with pilot testing along the coastal areas of the Puttalam District,” Fernando said.
He added that he also requested India’s NAVIC navigation technology software, which supports fishing operations, to be made available to Sri Lankan fishermen to enhance safety and efficiency in their work.
