Seine fishermen stop protest after meeting the President and agreeing to the solution provided.

The fishing community has decided to call off their protest following a discussion held this afternoon (13) at the Presidential Secretariat between the Madel fishermen, who had been protesting in front of the Presidential Secretariat, and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The meeting took place after the President invited the protesters to the Presidential Secretariat, where all parties agreed to collaboratively find the most suitable solution to the problem through discussions within a short timeframe.

Accordingly, preliminary discussions to resolve the issue are scheduled to commence next Monday with the participation of all parties.

Fishery representatives explained to the President the current challenges faced by the Madel industry, which began in 2010 due to a labor shortage and has been sustained since 2013 using the Winch machine method. They also expressed their gratitude to the President for granting a discussion and addressing the crisis they are experiencing.

After listening to the experiences and concerns of the fishermen, the President emphasized that it is not the government's aim to undermine the economic or living standards of any citizen. He affirmed that the government consistently strives to strengthen everyone's economy. However, he also pointed out that in seeking solutions to this crisis, serious attention must be given to the complaints of other fishing communities, the views of environmental organizations, and reports issued by scientific research institutions, including the Ministry of Fisheries.

The President further emphasized that it is essential to find solutions that adhere to international conventions, prevent the use of prohibited fishing methods, and ensure the safety of marine resources and the environment for future generations. Furthermore, it was agreed to arrange a special discussion with the Ministry of Finance to address issues related to lease and other loan payments faced by those involved in the industry during the period of ongoing discussions, until a final decision on this matter is reached.

In addition to the Madel fishery representatives, Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Marine Resources Ramalingam Chandrasekhar, Deputy Minister Ratna Gamage, Ministry Secretary Kolitha Kamal Jinadasa, and President's Director General of Public Relations Dharmasiri Gamage also participated in this discussion.