Sri Lanka: Sri Lankan soldiers snatch boats from Tamil fishermen

Monday, 03 December 2007

Sri Lankan soldiers stationed in Thalai Mannar and further down the coast are snatching fishing boats from Tamil fishermen in the name of security, local civilians here complain. More than 70% of the residents here depend on fishing for their livelihoods. They say that the Sri Lankan military has imposed several restrictions on their livelihoods. The north side of the island is designated as high security zone and is a no go area for fishermen. Neither are they allowed to go more than 30kn down south. Boat engines above 25horspower are also banned.

Now Sri Lankan forces are taking away boats, engines and nets worth almost half a million rupees and are selling them off to Sinhalese and Muslim fishermen further down south.

More than 25 fishing families have completely lost their lifesavings and livelihoods due to the latest tactic of the Sri Lankan forces.

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