Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa Accused of Backing Illegal Fishing for Political Survival – Northern Fisheries Union

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has been accused of supporting illegal fishing practices for the sake of maintaining his political relevance, according to Annalingam Annarasa, a member of the Northern Province Fisheries Workers’ Union.

Annarasa stated that Premadasa’s decision to join protests opposing the government’s move to halt illegal fishing reflects an attempt to safeguard his political standing. He welcomed the current administration’s action to curb illegal fishing practices but strongly condemned Premadasa’s involvement with those protesting against the ban.

Last week, a protest was held in front of the Presidential Secretariat against the government’s decision to stop illegal fishing methods. Annarasa criticized Premadasa for participating in the demonstration in support of fishermen allegedly engaged in unlawful practices, saying Northern fishermen strongly oppose such actions.

He further noted that since the end of the war in 2009, Northern fishermen have continuously urged successive governments to put an end to illegal fishing in Northern waters. During Premadasa’s visit to Jaffna in 2023, local fishermen had requested him to raise their concerns in Parliament and push for a ban on harmful illegal fishing methods that threaten traditional fishermen.

However, Annarasa claimed that Premadasa’s participation in last week’s protest contradicts those earlier assurances and reflects what he described as “opportunistic politics.” He added that although the government has taken steps to ban one illegal fishing method, more comprehensive action is needed to eliminate all unlawful practices at sea.

Annarasa emphasized that Northern fishermen expect a complete halt to illegal fishing and urged the Opposition Leader to refrain from supporting protests that, in his view, encourage unlawful fishing activities for political purposes.