Protest against High Security Zone

The SLHRC has made this request upon receiving a complaint by the fishermen in Velvetithurai, Jaffna, on the restrictions imposed by the SLA for fishing around High Security Zone (HSZ), Jaffna.

SLHRC Jaffna co-ordinator Rohitha Priyadarshana told BBC Sinhala that the fishermen made a complaint that the SLA is insisting Tamils need to get a special permit before going on fishing in the HSZ waters.

Human rights violated

“According to Velvetithurai Fishermen’s Organisation (VFO), an SLA official threatened to shoot their chairman unless the permit is obtained,” he told bbcsinahala.com.

According to the SLHRC, the fishermen are prepared to use the national identity card as forms of identification.

However, a separate pass for Tamil fishermen is discriminatory, according to Velvetithurai Fishermen’s Organisation.

The SLHRC co-ordinator said that hindering a livelihood amounts to a human rights violation.