Over 44 multi-day fishing craft with nearly 300 fishermen on board, were caught by the gusty winds in the sea during the recent adverse weather, said All Ceylon Multiday Craft Owners Association President, Sujith Fernando.
These craft had sailed from Negombo and Dikowita fishery harbours a few weeks ago. The tragedy of the ill-fated fishermen has been brought to the notice of the Fisheries Department and Puttalam Disaster Management Unit. If the adverse weather continues, permission will have to be sought from the Indian and the Maldives authorities to permit Sri Lankan fishing craft to anchor in their waters, he said.
Fisheries Department’s Search Operations Director, Kalyani Hewavitharane said though the 44 fishing craft were hit by strong gales, no damage was caused. Of the 44 craft, 30 have been traced to the Maldive Islands and 14 close to India.
Fernando regretted that the Meteorology Department authorities have not been precise in their weather forecasts.
Hewavitharane said, “We make public weather forecasts thrice a day, but it is impossible to issue forecasts one month ahead.”