A petition addressed to His Excellency President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was today handed over to the Governor of the Northern Province, requesting an opportunity to meet His Excellency the President in person and discuss the severe difficulties faced by Northern Province fishermen due to illegal bottom-trawling activities by Indian fishermen, as well as possible lasting solutions to this issue.
Representatives of the Northern Province Fisheries Organisations Network met the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan, at the Governor’s Secretariat today – on Wednesday 10 December 2025 and submitted this request letter.
While expressing gratitude for the various forms of assistance that the Government of India continues to provide to Sri Lanka despite numerous challenges, the petition highlights how the illegal cross-border bottom-trawling practices of Indian fishermen are seriously damaging both the livelihoods of Northern Province fishermen and the marine resources of the region.
The Northern Province Fishermen Organisations Network has therefore urged in the petition that an opportunity be arranged for them to personally meet and discuss this matter with His Excellency President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Upon receiving the petition submitted by the Northern Province Fishmen Organisations Network, the Governor assured that he would immediately forward it to the attention of the President and took necessary steps to do so without delay.
