Devananda assures new communication sets for trawlers courtesy Australia

Minister Devananda meeting owners of fishing craft

Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda yesterday (23) assured a group of trawler owners that 4,200 VMS communication sets received from Australia would be made available to them soon.

A spokesperson for the Fisheries Ministry told The Island that the owners of fishing craft explained how they experienced serious difficulties for want of proper communication equipment required in the high seas.

They also expressed concerns over restrictions imposed by local and foreign maritime authorities in view of narcotic trafficking.

Minister Devananda, who is also the leader of the Jaffna-based EPDP, affiliated to the SLPP government, said that their problems could be solved by installing new communication sets provided by Australia.

Devananda, on March 15 discussed ways and means of securing new communication sets with Australian and IOM (International Organization for Migration) assistance.

The Minister also promised to take up with the Indian High Commission simmering issue of Sri Lankan fishermen in Indian custody. The minister said that since the change of government in Nov 2019, a series of measures had been taken in support of the fishing community, especially in relation to adopting new technology (SF)