August 16, Colombo (LNW): Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar has pledged to introduce practical measures to tackle pirate activity threatening Sri Lankan fishermen operating in deep-sea waters.
Speaking at a meeting of the Ampara District Fisheries Coordinating Committee, the Minister said authorities were looking at ways to respond to the problem more effectively and provide fishermen with greater protection while at sea.
Representatives of local fisheries organisations urged the Government to establish a permanent and effective mechanism to prevent pirate attacks, stressing the need for a solution that would provide long-term security for fishing crews.
Chandrasekar said the concerns raised by the fishing community would be given due attention and that efforts would be made to develop a faster and more practical response to incidents involving pirate activity.
The Minister also outlined plans to develop the Oluvil Port through investment from both domestic and international sources. He said growing interest from potential investors indicated that the port had significant potential for expansion and could play a greater role in supporting the region’s maritime and fisheries sectors.
He added that attracting investment to the port would form part of broader efforts to make better use of Sri Lanka’s coastal infrastructure and strengthen economic activity linked to the ocean.