Parliament Debates on the Permission given to Sri Lankan Fishermen

Maldivian parliament has started to debate on a motion calling the government to revoke the permission given to Sri Lankan fishermen to enter Maldivian Territorial Waters while traveling to Arabian Sea.

MP of Funadhoo constituency Ali Saleem said that both the sides have confirmed of a new maritime agreement and it is a fact that the foreign fishermen know the fishing points in the Maldivian Territory. He also noted that the danger of using nets by the foreign fishermen while crossing the Maldivian waters and said that there is no way to know whether such an act has been done.

“It is a danger to already low Maldivian economy. The government has revoked the license given to the foreign fishing parties by the previous government, but by giving this permission it starts a new series of such permissions. The secret behind this could be a dirty deal,” said MP Ali Saleem.

MP Ali Saleem asked which of the International Maritime convention ensures such a permission, if the vessel informs the concerned authorities, 48 hour before traveling. He also noted that the words of the president’s press secretary disagree with that of the Fisheries Minister.

In the parliament 33 members out of 50 members voted in favor of the motion.