Minister Devananda warns on boat protest at mid sea

Minister Douglas Devananda yesterday dramatically backed out from his plans for boat protest in the Palk Strait against poaching by Indian fishermen in the face of a visit to the north by Indian High Commissioner Ashok Kantha and heightened Indian coastguard presence along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) separating India and Sri Lanka. Minister said that he would hold talks with Indian organisations representing Tamil Nadu fishermen. “I will give them an ultimatum to stop poaching and using illegal fishing methods,” he said. “It is not the correct moment to stage a protest, particularly when there is a religious event at the Church of St. Anthony at Kachchativu. We will think of a protest only after this month-long warning ends,” he added. High Commissioner Kantha’s visit to Jaffna includes an unexpected visit to Kachchativu this morning to participate at the weeklong annual St. Anthony’s church feast where Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen pay homage to the saint. Holy festival mass of the Kachchativu St. Anthony' church was  hoisted by the Rev. Bishop Thomas Saundranayakam. http://eng.lankasri.com/view.php?222OY5Zc203OmBZc4e2I4OlJacaeeWAAaddecKMMC0acddlOe0e4d5BmA33024n5Ym42