The Eastern Province, which has been overlooked by development over the past several years, is now coming to life under the Eastern Navodaya programme.  The government has conceived the new multi faceted development initiative to help the people who are now freed of the yoke of terrorism.

The state machinery is now geared to meet the infrastructure and livelihood needs of multi-ethnic population of the Ampara, Batticaloa and Trincomalee districts of the province.  Handpicked officials with a proven track record have been entrusted the task of implementing the Jathika Saviya, Maga Neguma and other localized initiatives under the direct supervision of Senior Presidential Advisor and Member of Parliament Basil Rajapaksa.

Despite the best intentions of the government, certain restrictions prompted by security concerns, had to be imposed to protect lives and also strategic installations. There is no doubt that these measures have impacted on the livelihood of the eastern fishermen. Agriculture and fisheries are the two major occupations of the people of this province. As far as agriculture is concerned, the government has now taken measures to hand over the agricultural lands earlier occupied by the LTTE, to their owners.

On the other hand, the same approach cannot be adopted towards resolving the livelihood issue of fishermen, since there is an ever present threat posed to strategic locations along the coast by the LTTE which does not differentiate between military and economic targets by their own admission.

It is neither practical nor possible to ask the fishermen to wait till the coast is clear to ply their trade. Therefore, the authorities are looking at other options such as fresh water fisheries, to help fishermen sustain themselves, until the situation improves and preferably thereafter too, by exploiting the large extents of inland waterways found in the Eastern province.

Residents of the Sinhala villages of Damana, Namal Oya, Uhana, Siyambalanduwa and Ambalan Oya in the Ampara district are now engaged in fresh water fisheries in a big way. The Muslim and Tamil residents of Ilukkuchchenai, Irakkamam and  Navithan Veli also engage in fresh water fisheries.

There are 24 large tanks and 111 small tanks in the Batticaloa district alone. 1876 dug out canoes are currently being used to fish in the Batticaloa Wewa. According to fishermen, there are 17 different species of fish found in this waterway. Fresh water fisheries are also economical for fishermen since they do not have to spend large sums of money on fuel for their boats. Fresh water fish breeding could also be successfully undertaken at the Panama,  Annamalai, Pulanai, Madurankuli, Vakaneri and Thiriyaya tanks.

Poonanaikulam in the Batticaloa district and Thiriyaya tank as well as the Makkandikulma in the Trincomalee district have been identified as ideal for fresh water fisheries.

At present, the Inland Fishing communities use traditional methods to catch the fish and as a result they are unable land big harvests and earn proportionately higher incomes.  The government can step in to resolve this issue by providing small boats to the fishermen and creating awareness among the communities living close to tanks about the advantages of fresh water fisheries.

Furthermore, for fishermen who brave the high waves and face the danger of the deep seas, fishing in inland waterways is a simple task. Compared to the huge investments needed for deep sea fishing boats and equipment as well as high cost of fuel, fresh water fisheries is cost effective.  The government can use its resources to provide simple paddle boats and fishing nets to the fishermen without depending on the private sector and NGOs to meet their needs due to the low capital outlay required.  Above all, the fishermen do not have to face the ruthlessness of the Sea Tigers when they fish in the placid water of inland waterways.

The potential for investment in the inland fisheries sector remain largely untapped. The Asian Development Bank is prepared to provide funding for this sector. Therefore, the Inland Fisheries Development Authority could help these fishermen obtain the necessary funds and create marketing facilities.

The government is currently engaged in the task of transforming the East into an economic hub of the country with tourism playing an important part. Therefore, the inland fisherman will be assured of a good income when these plans are implemented in the short term under  Neganahira Nawodaya – Eastern Development programme.

Fresh water fisheries, therefore, could be the strategic option to overcome the livelihood problem faced by fishermen of the east.