Tamil Fishermen not allowed into their traditional fishing areas (Padu) in Kokkilai

We tried to put up wadi at the location allocated to us by Fisheries Department in accordance with promise given in the meeting at District, but the Sinhalese fishermen did not allow us. The Thero at Kokkilai and police intervene and sent us away, said the Leader of the Fishermen Society, Jude.

The Sinhalese fishermen had complained to the police about the incident and the police had called 19 fishermen and 2 Catholic priests who accompanied them for inquiries today.

We are engaging in fishing in Kokkilai lagoon. we have boats and engines to fish in deep sea but, the Sinhalese Mudalalis had encroached into our docking area and is not allowing us to fish, said Jude. Although the department had indentified 100 meters long beach the Sinhalese mudalalis are not allowing us there. So we are fishing in lagoon he said. Yesterday they informed the police and police asked us to go away with our things, he said.