A tense situation has erupted at the Negombo Lagoon as fishermen opposed to the seaplane project began a protest at the excavation site demanding the project be stopped. The Alliance for Protection of Negombo Lagoon convenor Herman Kumara speaking to Ada Derana said that they will not leave the Negombo Lagoon premises until the excavation machinery including backhoe machines are removed.

Sources told Ada Derana that for excavation backhoes were being used on floaters on the middle of the lagoon, and protestors had surrounded the backhoe machines in their boat. Close to 500 fishermen are currently refusing to leave the site, sources said,

The Alliance for Protection of Negombo Lagoon convened a press conference on November 15 to high light the situation of their struggle where close to 45 fishermen leaders attended. At the press conference Chairperson, Negombo Lagoon Management Authority Ranjith Fernando said that “Negombo Lagoon is one of the richest resources in not only Sri Lanka, but also in Asia. It is a Ramsar Wetland in Sri Lanka. We catch prawns, crabs, fish valued at more than Rs. 200,000 each day. Our prawns and crabs are exported to Japan, Australia, Singapore and even to Europe. So, while we feed our families we feed many other foreigners with the resources of Negombo Lagoon. So, this is not only our problem. It is a problem of many thousands of people. We should say all those people who want to use Seaplanes in Negombo Lagoon that they not only destroy our livelihoods but also they destroy their own precious food source.”

“People are becoming violent as the political leaders of the country are cheating us and they do not listen to the grievances of the fisher people.”

“We do not have any alternative way of living, so people think it is only sacrifice their lives will solve the problem.” Added Ranjith.