Sri Lankan authorities have maintained restrictions on fishing activities along a major coastal stretch, citing persistent rough sea conditions that pose safety risks to vessels and crews.
The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has kept in place a ban on fishing operations across sea areas stretching from Puttalam to Pottuvil, following the Director General Susantha Kahawatta's assessment that hazardous marine conditions continue despite some overall improvement in the country's weather patterns.
The restriction applies to small-scale and single-day fishing vessels operating in coastal waters near nine locations: Puttalam, Chilaw, Negombo, Colombo, Kalutara, Galle, Matara, Hambantota and Pottuvil. According to the Department of Fisheries, the ban will remain active until conditions become safe for maritime activity, with decisions guided by meteorological data and forecasts.
The ongoing prohibition underscores recent tragedy in the fishing community. The Director General acknowledged the deaths of five fishermen from Mannar, Kalpitiya, Chilaw and Negombo who ventured into the sea despite official weather alerts issued by authorities. In response, fisheries officials have stressed the importance of complying with safety directives and have recommended that all personnel engaged in fishing activities wear life jackets as a precautionary measure.
