Northen fishermen face severe financial loss following Peliyagoda market closure

<p>Fisherman in the North whose livelihoods depend on the fishing industry have been severely affected by the closure of the Peliyagoda fish market following several cases of COVID-19 positive individuals.&nbsp;</p> <p>The fish market was closed on October 21 after a cluster of fishermen tested positive for the virus.&nbsp;</p> <p>President of the Ambal Fishermen’s Cooperative of Karainagar in Jaffna K. Rajachandran told the <em><u><a href="http://www.dailymirror.lk/print/front_page/Northern-fishermen-in-dire-s…">Daily Mirror</a></u> </em>that fisherman have decided to no longer go out to sea as the the market remains closed. Atleast four trucks used to transport fish daily to Peliyagoda fish market from four districts in the North but now "not a single trucks is going there as the market is closed. That is a huge loss for us," he told the <em>Daily Mirror</em>.&nbsp;</p> <p>Rajachandran said some fishermen in the North continue to catch fish but cannot secure fair prices for their product in local markets.&nbsp;</p> <p>“Cuttlefish which sells at Rs. 800 is now being sold at Rs. 300. Small fish sold for Rs. 250 or Rs. 300 is now being sold for Rs. 40. And even for Rs. 40 there is no one to buy. Or businessmen will buy it as it is cheap but that is not at all profitable for us. So our fishermen have lost their way of income and are dejected,” he said.</p> <p>Eelam People's Democratic Party leader and fisheries Minister, Douglas Devananda, has promised fishermen who are not receiving an income that their issue will be resolved. He has said that Sri Lanka is ready to hold talks with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palanisawmi to resolve the problems of fishermen.&nbsp;</p> <p>The minister has assured that steps will be taken to purchase prawns, crab, and cuttlefish from the North through the Sri Lanka Fisheries Corporation. However, Rajachandran expressed that a quick resolution is needed due to the urgency of the issue.</p>