Northern Fisheries Association President N.M.M. Aalam said, the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi cannot solve fishermen's issues, and also the problems of Tamil people.
"We
have been undergoing various livelihood and other issues. The Indian
Prime Minister's visit is just political, our issues are beyond
politics. A single visit cannot solve all problems. But we hope for the
best!" said Aalam.
Following are excerpts:
Q: What are the problems faced by Northern fishermen in the current scenario?A:
Northern fishermen are thoroughly disappointed with the Central
Government as well as the Northern Provincial Council (NPC), as they
have failed to help the fishermen in coping with their livelihood
issues. Livelihood has evolved to be a terrific challenge for the
Northern fishermen. It is known that the Indian trawlers have entirely
affected the livelihood of the Northern fishermen. These trawlers have
mostly affected the livelihood of small fishermen who depend on daily
wages. Recently the Tamil Nadu fishermen have even turned out to be a
life threat to the Northern fishermen as they recently attacked our
fishermen in the Northern sea.
Therefore, it is a big challenge to save the Northern fishermen from the Tamil Nadu fishermen.
Therefore, it is a big challenge to save the Northern fishermen from the Tamil Nadu fishermen.
Q:Explain the damages caused by Tamil Nadu fishermen in the Northern sea?A:
As I said, Indian trawlers have turned out to be the biggest enemy to
the livelihoods of Northern fishermen. Trawlers have thoroughly
destroyed all the resources in the sea. There is no fish in the sea and
the Indian trawlers have turned to be a massive threat to the life of
fish in the Northern sea.
Northern fishermen go to sea to fish when there aren't any Tamil Nadu fishermen and they are disappointed to find there is no fish in the sea.
Northern fishermen go to sea to fish when there aren't any Tamil Nadu fishermen and they are disappointed to find there is no fish in the sea.
Q:Why do Tamil Nadu fishermen believe it is historical to enter Sri Lankan waters?A:
It is true that they historically believe that they have the freedom to
enter Sri Lankan waters. But all fishermen should remember that
boundaries are demarcated according to the agreement between India and
Sri Lanka. Therefore, they cannot enter our waters as they wish.
Soon after the agreement was signed there was a period when the arrival of Tamil Nadu fishermen was less, yet later, when trawlers were introduced those fishermen used it in their waters to fish and destroyed all their resources. Currently they don't have any resources left. Now they have begun to damage the resources in the Sri Lankan waters.
Soon after the agreement was signed there was a period when the arrival of Tamil Nadu fishermen was less, yet later, when trawlers were introduced those fishermen used it in their waters to fish and destroyed all their resources. Currently they don't have any resources left. Now they have begun to damage the resources in the Sri Lankan waters.
Earlier,
they only arrived to the Kachchatheevu coastal area, to fish, but later
they came to Sri Lankan waters too. Presently they even enter the two
mile area closer to Northern coastal villages. Our fishermen have
witnessed them fishing in those areas.
Tamil Nadu fishermen made use of the war period to slowly enter the Northern waters. The Sri Lankan Government and LTTE implemented various restrictions and halted the poaching activities of Sri Lankan fishermen during the war period.
However, every country has its own boundaries therefore even if Tamil Nadu believes in historical sentiments the truth is they are not entitled to enter Sri Lankan waters.
Tamil Nadu fishermen made use of the war period to slowly enter the Northern waters. The Sri Lankan Government and LTTE implemented various restrictions and halted the poaching activities of Sri Lankan fishermen during the war period.
However, every country has its own boundaries therefore even if Tamil Nadu believes in historical sentiments the truth is they are not entitled to enter Sri Lankan waters.
Q:Why do Indo-Lanka Fishermen Talks always fail?A:
When problems between the two sides reached the peak, representatives
of both parties began to discuss the issue in 2004. However, in 2010,
representatives of the Northern fishermen met the Indian fishermen's
representatives and emphasized that trawling should be stopped. Both
parties engaged in certain agreements for the betterment of all
fishermen. According to the agreement, Tamil Nadu fishermen were allowed
to fish in the Northern waters only for 70 days and the borders were
also demarcated.
After 70 days they were asked to stop from entering Sri Lankan waters. Yet, both governments did not accept the agreement and therefore it was a failure. We were concerned about the livelihood of Tamil Nadu fishermen too.
In 2014, both governments began the Indo-Lanka Fishermen Talks for the first time, to solve issues. It was again a repeated discussion about how Indian fishermen should be allowed to fish in our sea. But our fishermen were very vigilant and they never accepted it and did not allow Tamil Nadu fishermen to enter our sea.
However, Tamil Nadu fishermen continued to fish in our sea until now. Although they requested to fish in our waters for one year period from 2010-2011, they are still continuing to fish in our waters.
After 70 days they were asked to stop from entering Sri Lankan waters. Yet, both governments did not accept the agreement and therefore it was a failure. We were concerned about the livelihood of Tamil Nadu fishermen too.
In 2014, both governments began the Indo-Lanka Fishermen Talks for the first time, to solve issues. It was again a repeated discussion about how Indian fishermen should be allowed to fish in our sea. But our fishermen were very vigilant and they never accepted it and did not allow Tamil Nadu fishermen to enter our sea.
However, Tamil Nadu fishermen continued to fish in our sea until now. Although they requested to fish in our waters for one year period from 2010-2011, they are still continuing to fish in our waters.
Q:Indo-Lanka Fishermen talks were scheduled for 5 March, but it was postponed to 12 March. How do you think postponing talks have affected the Northern fishermen?
A: We are still unclear about the stand of our government. We feel postponing talks were planned for political purposes as the Indian Prime Minister Modi is to arrive in Sri Lanka. Now we understand the talks scheduled for 12 March have also been postponed.
We are unable to understand the stand of the Sri Lankan Government. They begin talks and then keep postponing the dates. Therefore, our problems are increasing. If talks are postponed we don't want such talks. The government should clearly understand that we are badly affected by trawling in our waters. If the Indian fishermen continuously stress on allowing them to fish in our seas, I feel such talks will lose importance.
A: We are still unclear about the stand of our government. We feel postponing talks were planned for political purposes as the Indian Prime Minister Modi is to arrive in Sri Lanka. Now we understand the talks scheduled for 12 March have also been postponed.
We are unable to understand the stand of the Sri Lankan Government. They begin talks and then keep postponing the dates. Therefore, our problems are increasing. If talks are postponed we don't want such talks. The government should clearly understand that we are badly affected by trawling in our waters. If the Indian fishermen continuously stress on allowing them to fish in our seas, I feel such talks will lose importance.
Q:Recently
Tamil Nadu fishermen attacked the Sri Lankan fishermen in the Northern
sea and they had also threatened the Northern fishermen. How do you view
this incident?A: The former government was very tough with the
Tamil Nadu fishermen. Especially the former Fisheries Minister Dr.
Rajitha Senaratne was implementing tough laws against Indian fishermen.
Whenever they crossed the sea boundaries they were arrested.
However, after the change in regime, the new government became flexible, in order to maintain ties between the two countries. But the Indian fishermen took this situation to dominate the Northern fishermen.
However, after the change in regime, the new government became flexible, in order to maintain ties between the two countries. But the Indian fishermen took this situation to dominate the Northern fishermen.
Q:It
is understood that Sri Lankan fishermen caught in Tamil Nadu prisons
had to undergo ill treatment and at the same time Indian fishermen in
Sri Lankan prisons claim that they are ill treated too. What exactly is
the situation?A: Indian fishermen do not stay alone in prison;
they are kept with other prisoners from all three communities in our
country. Sri Lankan prison officials are treating all equally. Our
officials sometimes pity the Tamil Nadu fishermen and help them.
They do not impose any restrictions for fishermen's representatives who visit to see them in the prisons. When Tamil Nadu fishermen return to their country, they tend to complain about the treatment in Sri Lankan prisons. They also complain that they were offered contaminated food, but that is not true. We cannot accept that.
They do not impose any restrictions for fishermen's representatives who visit to see them in the prisons. When Tamil Nadu fishermen return to their country, they tend to complain about the treatment in Sri Lankan prisons. They also complain that they were offered contaminated food, but that is not true. We cannot accept that.
At the same time Sri Lankan fishermen who are caught in Tamil Nadu prisons are not allowed to see their representatives and the Tamil Nadu Government has not made arrangements in this regard. Representatives from Sri Lanka have to stay in Tamil Nadu for many days to meet our fishermen in prison.
The Tamil Nadu prisons transfer the Sri Lankan fishermen to various other prisons and they have a negative impression of Southern fishermen who are mostly caught up in their prisons. Therefore, we as representatives have many times come across such situations where we were not permitted to meet our brothers from the South.
Q:Is it a must to allow Tamil Nadu fishermen to poach in our waters according to their request?A:
We don't see them as enemies, they are fishermen too. But we vehemently
condemn the use of trawlers. We have advised several times to stop
using trawlers. They should change their mode of fishing. They have
destroyed all their resources and now they do not have fish in their
sea.
If they change their mode of fishing, we are ready to explain their situation to our government and help them. We cannot help them if they continue trawling.
If they change their mode of fishing, we are ready to explain their situation to our government and help them. We cannot help them if they continue trawling.
Q:There
are allegations that the Tamil Nadu politicians are making use of the
fishermen issue for their selfish political purposes. Do you agree?A:
We do agree that our problems are used for political purposes. We have
even emphasized the issue on several occasions. There are Tamil Nadu
politicians who are involved in the fishing Industry and they are bosses
of the small fishermen. These political bosses tend to exaggerate
quarrels between the fishermen for their political purposes.
These politicians also distribute trawlers and nets that are illegal in Sri Lanka among the small fishermen to be used for fishing in order to develop their business. We are against it.
These politicians also distribute trawlers and nets that are illegal in Sri Lanka among the small fishermen to be used for fishing in order to develop their business. We are against it.
Q:What
is your view on Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe's statement to
shoot Indian fishermen who illegally enter Sri Lankan waters?A:
We are under the threat of Tamil Nadu fishermen. With the recent quarrel
between fishermen we have been subjected to death threats. But the
shooting order cannot be imposed in a rush I'm sure he had taken this
decision after considering our problems. Anyhow, we are happy that the
Prime Minister is concerned about the Northern fishermen who are
struggling for ages. But shooting the fishermen should be reconsidered.
Q:How do you view the role of the Sri Lankan Navy in the fishermen's issue?A:
There were situations when the Sri Lankan Navy was shooting Indian
fishermen for illegally crossing the borders. We have condemned their
act, but they were involved in seriously implementing the law to save us
from Tamil Nadu fishermen. We feel even the Indian coast guards should
be vigilant about their fishermen and impose strict laws to prohibit
them from entering our sea. If both sides are vigilant about the sea
borders this issue can be controlled.
Q:At
the same time it is understood that fishermen from the South are
interfering in the livelihoods of Northern fishermen. Is that true?A:
Historically Southern fishermen have come to the North for livelihood
purposes and only in small numbers. They have been following this trend
for a very long time, and Northern fishermen have not complained much.
But recently some Southern fishermen were encouraged by the former government and the Navy to be involved in an illegal mode of fishing in the North, which again would affect the resources in the Northern sea.
Although the government has encouraged the Southern fishermen by distributing subsidies we the Northern fishermen were 100% neglected.
But recently some Southern fishermen were encouraged by the former government and the Navy to be involved in an illegal mode of fishing in the North, which again would affect the resources in the Northern sea.
Although the government has encouraged the Southern fishermen by distributing subsidies we the Northern fishermen were 100% neglected.
Q:It
is understood that drug trafficking is taking place between Tamil Nadu
and Northern fishermen, and currently such incidents have increased. How
do you view this?A: It is true that such incidents are
occurring, but I advise our fishermen not to get involved in such
activities which could tarnish the reputation of Sri Lanka. At the same
time the government also should impose strict laws to stop drug
trafficking between fishermen.
But we cannot accept unlawful arrests taking place when our fishermen are innocent.
But we cannot accept unlawful arrests taking place when our fishermen are innocent.
Q:Do you think Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Sri Lanka would solve the fishermen's issues?A:
The visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Singh Modi cannot solve
fishermen's issues, and also the problems of Tamil people. We have been
undergoing various livelihood and other issues.
Indian Prime Minister's visit is just political, our issues are beyond politics. A single visit cannot solve all problems. But we hope for the best.
Indian Prime Minister's visit is just political, our issues are beyond politics. A single visit cannot solve all problems. But we hope for the best.
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