Fishing vessels forcibly taken by LTTE given back to owners

The government has repaired and returned the fishing vessels forcibly taken by the LTTE terrorists from the fishermen during the war to their rightful owners.

Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Susantha Punchinilame recently handed over 62 fisheries trawlers and 55 engines that were taken by the LTTE to the fishermen at a function held at the Mullaitivu beach.

The deputy Minister addressing the participants has said that the government is trying to revive and bring normality to the inland fishing industry once paralyzed as a result of terrorism.

During the war the LTTE used civilian boats for their Sea Tiger operations against the Sri Lankan forces.