The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has extended its ban on fishing along the coast from Puttalam to Pottuvil, keeping small and one-day boats ashore for a further period as rough seas persist.
Director General of Fisheries Susantha Kahawatta said the adverse weather affecting the island has eased to some extent, but that strong winds and rough conditions continue along the Puttalam–Pottuvil belt.
The restriction applies to small-scale and one-day vessels working coastal waters off Puttalam, Chilaw, Negombo, Colombo, Kalutara, Galle, Matara, Hambantota and Pottuvil. It remains in force until further notice, and Kahawatta said it would be lifted as soon as Met Department data showed sea conditions had improved.
He expressed regret over the deaths of five fishermen from Mannar, Kalpitiya, Chilaw and Negombo who put to sea despite the warnings in force, and urged crews to follow official advisories and wear life jackets.
Warning reissued for a further 24 hours
The Met Department reissued its Red warning for strong winds and rough seas on Monday evening. Seas from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota will be very rough at times, with gusts of 60-70 kmph, and naval and fishing communities have been told not to venture out until further notice.
Waters from Puttalam to Galle via Colombo are expected to be rough at times, with winds of 50-60 kmph.
Aruna reported that the bulletin was issued at 8.00 p.m. on Monday (3) and runs until 8.00 p.m. on Tuesday (4) — picking up precisely where Sunday’s Red warning for the same stretch expired.
A shifting coastline
The banned stretch has moved with the weather. The Fisheries Department barred small boats from Jaffna to Beruwala on Saturday, covering the northern and western coasts. The current order drops the northern grounds around Jaffna, Kilinochchi and Mannar and instead runs south and east around the island to Pottuvil.
An earlier suspension on 30 July covered northern and south-eastern waters. The death toll among fishermen caught in the weather reached five on Sunday, with one man still missing off Mannar.
