Fishermen across the North gathered in Mullaitivu last week for a large-scale protest and conference organised by the Northern Province Fishermen’s Federation and the National Fisheries Solidarity Movement, demanding urgent action to end illegal fishing practices and protect Tamil fishermen’s livelihoods.
The day began with a protest march through Mullaitivu town, where hundreds of fishermen from across the province called on the Sri Lankan authorities to take decisive steps to halt the repeated incursions of Indian trawlers and clamp down on destructive fishing methods. Protesters held placards urging the protection of traditional fishing communities, the preservation of marine resources, and stronger enforcement of maritime boundaries.
Following the demonstration, the Conference for Advancing Solutions to Accepted Fishermen’s Issues was held, focusing on long-standing concerns over the exploitation of Northern waters and the economic hardships faced by local fishing families.
At the conference, participants presented a declaration titled the Mullai Declaration, which outlined a series of demands aimed at ensuring sustainable fishing practices, strengthening community-based resource management, and safeguarding the welfare of Tamil fishermen. Copies of the declaration were handed to guests, including Mullaitivu District Member of Parliament Thurairasa Ravikaran.
MP Ravikaran, along with representatives of local authorities, fishermen’s organisation leaders, and delegates from across Mullaitivu, Mannar, Jaffna, and Kilinochchi, attended the event in support of the initiative.
The conference also discussed the growing threat to livelihoods caused by illegal bottom trawling by Indian fishermen and the lack of effective government measures to protect the North-East’s coastal waters. Fishermen’s representatives stressed that years of neglect and inaction had deepened the economic crisis in coastal communities that already struggle under militarisation and restricted access to the sea.
Organisers vowed to continue pressing for the immediate implementation of the Mullai Declaration and reiterated that the protection of Tamil fishermen and marine life in the North-East must become a priority.
