A protest by Tamil fishermen in Mullaitivu against illegal fishing by Sinhala fishermen has entered its 5th day.
The demonstrators say that their livelihoods are being destroyed by Sinhala fishermen, who they said were aided by the military and state bodies. They also accuse government officials in Mullaitivu of accepting bribes from Sinhala fishermen to allow them to fish in the region unlawfully.
On August 4th, locals from the region alerted police about three Sinhala fishermen who were caught engaging in illegal fishing methods in Mullaitivu. However, the three were all released without charge.
Earlier this week Sri Lankan riot police had confronted the protestors, as they tried to enter the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
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