State Minister Kanchana Wijesekera has insisted that spearfishing in Sri Lanka will remain illegal.
Highlighting recent news articles with misleading content in this regard, the State Minister of Ornamental fish, Freshwater fish and Shrimp Farming Development, Multi-day fishing and Fish export said information claiming that plans have been made to allow spearfishing in Sri Lanka is false.
He said requests have been made from the Ministry of Fisheries in this regard, but the Ministry has made its stance clear and has informed that spearfishing in Sri Lanka will remain banned.
State Minister Wijesekera said that the Fisheries Ministry took measures to ban spearfishing as it damages corals and the marine environment.
“With no monitoring mechanism or designated areas identified it is unlikely that it can be legalized. Many abused the opportunity and continued commercial fishing,” he said.
The clarification comes after Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa tweeted that the question of legalizing spearfishing in Sri Lanka has been directed to his Ministry.
“We have received many requests to introduce new sports but no decision has been taken as of yet. The legalization of spearfishing has to be addressed by the Fisheries Ministry,” he said.
The discussion on the legalization of spearfishing in Sri Lanka commenced after Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Chandima Weerakkody requested Parliament on Wednesday (09) to allow spearfishing in Sri Lanka to promote tourism.
He urged the Government to amend the necessary laws in order to allow foreign tourists to engage in spearfishing as a recreational sport in Sri Lanka. (NewsWire)