Sri Lanka fishermen end protest, back to fishing

Fishermen from the western coastal belt of in Sri Lanka who have threatened to refrain from fishing until the government takes measures to reduce fuel prices have agreed to call off their protest and recommence their fishing activities. Deputy Minister Sarath Kumara Gunaratne, who held discussions with the representatives of fisheries association of the coastal belt from Colombo to Puttalam, has said
that the association earlier decided not to engage in fishing activities due to a misunderstanding on the fuel concession granted for fishermen by the government. The fishermen have asked the ministers to organize a meeting with the President to discuss the issue. The Deputy Minister has told the state-run radio today that the President has asked him to enlighten the fishermen on the government's concession, and following the President's request he and Western Provincial Council Minister Nimal Lansa have met the representatives of Negombo Joint Fisheries Organization and conveyed President's assurance to grant 80 percent unlimited fuel concession for the fishermen. The fishermen have agreed to recommence their fishing activities following the meeting with the Deputy Minister.