Government Conclave Upholds Vow to Eradicate Unlawful Maritime Operations

A high-level government conclave was held at the Parliament premises on 11 November to review and reinforce national strategies for combating illegal fishing, poaching, and other unlawful maritime activities within Sri Lanka’s territorial waters.

The session was co-chaired by Hon. Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Mr. Ramalingam Chandrasekar, Minister of Justice and National Integration Mr. Harshana Nanayakkara, and Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd). Senior officials representing the Navy, Coast Guard, Police, Defence, Fisheries, and Telecommunications Regulatory Commission were also in attendance.

Deliberations focused on strengthening maritime surveillance, improving inter-agency coordination, and enhancing the enforcement of existing legal frameworks. Particular attention was paid to issues such as poaching by local and foreign vessels, the deliberate disabling of Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), the use of unauthorized radio frequencies, and smuggling operations conducted under the guise of fishing.

Participants emphasized the need for real-time vessel monitoring, swift legal proceedings, and the adoption of advanced technological tools to ensure effective deterrence and enforcement. The meeting also reiterated the government’s steadfast commitment to protect Sri Lanka’s marine resources, safeguard the livelihoods of legitimate fishermen, and uphold the nation’s maritime sovereignty.

This conclave marks the continuation of a series of strategic discussions led by the government to eradicate Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, underscoring Sri Lanka’s determination to ensure the sustainable management of its ocean resources and the long-term security of its maritime domain.