COLOMBO (News 1st); Fishermen involved in the traditional fishing industry along the Madhu River allege that they have been severely affected by the use of kerosene by boats that are involved in the Madhu River tourism industry.
The fishermen halted their boats at the Galmangoda port at Balapitiya this morning and staged a protest in this regard.
Boats which are engaged in tourism at the Madhu river have begun using kerosene as fuel due to the high price of petrol.
The fishermen say that due use of kerosene by tourist vessels, the fish which they harvest with great difficulty has become unsustainable and inedible due to traces of kerosene.
They further request the authorities to immediately intervene and secure the sources of income of about 300 families engaged in traditional fishing activities along the Madhu River.