Indo-Lanka fishermen ties will be improved

_{(Commander Northern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Susith Weerasekara and Commander Security Forces-Jaffna, Major General Mahinda Hathurusingha lighting a traditional oil lamp at the Saint Anthony’s Church in Katchchativu. Picture Courtesy: Navy Media Unit)}

Every possible measure will be taken in order to improve the relationship between Sri Lankan and Indian fishermen, says Commander Northern Naval Area Rear Admiral Susith Weerasekara.


Indian fishermen stray into Sri Lankan waters and engage in fishing unwittingly, he pointed out however mentioning that, the fishing industry has faced many threats owing to fishing carried out in a large scale using trawlers due to unawareness and negligence.


Participating in the annual festivities of the Saint Anthony’s Church at Katchchativu in Jaffna the Rear Admiral stated that, the reason the Navy was involved in grandly holding the feast of the Katchchativu church, which is a sacred area to Indian and Lankan devotees alike, was to improve the relationship between the fishermen of Sri Lanka and India.


“Even though some may think that organizing these activities is an easy task, supplying all facilities to the Katchchativu islet, which is 45 nautical miles from Kankesanthurai (KKS), took a lot of effort.” he said.

 
The Commander of the Northern Naval Area further added that he was pleased that it was possible to hold the Saint Anthony’s Church feast, which saw the participation of large numbers of pilgrims, in such a grand scale even after so many hardships.