Minister of Fisheries, Ramalingam Chandrasekar, has requested all fishing communities in the country not to engage in fishing activities beyond Sri Lanka’s maritime boundary.
The Minister pointed out that this decision was taken considering the risky situation prevailing within international maritime boundaries.
The Fisheries Minister made the statement while speaking in Parliament regarding the Iranian warship that was sunk by a US attack and another Iranian vessel currently positioned within Sri Lanka’s maritime boundary.
Yesterday, the United States, with the assistance of a submarine, attacked and sank an Iranian warship in the sea beyond Sri Lanka’s maritime boundary.
Accordingly, search operations are currently being carried out in that maritime area.
Meanwhile, the Department of Fisheries has issued a special set of instructions to ensure the safety of Sri Lankan multi‑day fishing vessels engaged in work in international waters, in view of the warlike atmosphere near the Gulf region.
The Department’s Director General, Susanta Kahawatta, said that fishermen should always engage in their work only in traditionally used fishing grounds.
He also informed that no vessel suspected of being involved in military activities, nor any foreign ship or vessel, should be approached.
Fishing communities were further advised to completely refrain from exchanging goods or engaging in any transactions with other vessels, and to travel only through the usual routes used when departing for and returning from fishing activities.
The Department of Fisheries emphasized that no fishing vessel has so far been affected due to the prevailing situation. (Newswire)