Puttalam Courts fined Rs 185 Million for poaching Indian fishermen

An Indian bottom trawler seized by Navy for engaging in fishing in Sri Lankan waters in the North. Pix: Northeastern Monitor

Puttalam Magistrate Court fined Rs 185 million for twelve Indian fishermen who pleaded guilty to engaging in illegal bottom trawling in Sri Lankan territorial waters without fishing permits. 

With the skipper of the bottom trawler handed in Rs 20 million as a fine, other fishermen on board were imposed Rs 15 million each along with six months imprisonment in default of the fine.

Puttalam magistrate Ayoma Wimalaratne ordered to extend their remand till September 10. 

The fishermen were arrested by the Navy on August 6 near the Kudiramalai Sea during Naval patrolling and later handed over to Puttalam District Fisheries Department for further legal action. This is the first time poaching Indian fishermen are prosecuted outside the Northern province under the amended  Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act, No.2 of 1996. (Northeastern Monitor/ September 5/2024)