Sri Lankan fisherfolk continue to face the challenge of Indian fisherfolk illegally entering the Sea of Sri Lanka and depleting vital maritime resources.

In response to this ongoing issue, Sri Lankan fisherfolk in the North will hold a protest at sea today.

Sri Lankan fisherfolk in Jaffna are gearing up to hold a protest against illegal fishing activities by Indian fisherfolk in the the Sri Lankan territory, and to protect the Sea of Sri Lanka.

The fisherfolk left from Point Pedro this morning to hold the protest at sea along the India-Sri Lanka maritime border.

Meanwhile, a series of other protests will be held in other coastal areas in the Jaffna district as well.

WHAT IS THIS ISSUE?

On February 16, two Indian fishermen who disregarded GPS warnings and entered Sri Lankan waters were sentenced to 6 months in prison by the Kites Court.

The Kytes Magistrate's Court convicted two Indian fishermen of illegally entering the Sea of Sri Lanka using GPS equipment and sentenced them to six months in prison. Recently, another fisherman was convicted over the same charges.

The RAMESWARAM Fishermen Association said they will not participate in the Katchatheevu feast over this issue.

Fishermen from Rameswaram staged an eight-day protest and initiated a Satyagraha on the 24th which concluded the day after.

Adding further fuel to the fire, Sri Lanka's Fisheries Minister, Douglas Devananda, declared his intent to resign from his ministerial position on the 26th of February and join the local fishermen in protest if India exerts pressure on the Indo-Sri Lankan fisheries issue. Meanwhile, despite resuming their work on the 26th, the fishermen of Rameswaram announced their intention to stage a protest on the 27th along the coast of Panban in Tamil Nadu to express their dissent.

On the 28th of Febraury, the fishermen of Rameswaram held a protest which coincided with the visit of Narendra Modi. There were also reports that the the Sri Lankan Fisheries Minister and Tamil Nadu Fisheries Minister Anitha Radhakrishnan held talks on finding a diplomatic solution to the issue.

However, both the Indian Fishermen and the Sri Lankan Fishermen stand resolute on their respective stances.