All fishing boats to be searched

The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development has instructed the Ceylon Fisheries Harbours Corporation (CFHC) to increase the level of security at harbours. 

State Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Dilip Weddearachchi issuing a statement said the decision was taken to assist security forces in the ongoing investigation into the Easter Sunday attacks.

Accordingly, the Ministry had instructed to be alert on suspicious events and strong attention to be focused on suspicious individuals entering and leaving the country through fisheries harbours.  

The Ministry has also given instruction to take necessary measures to identify individuals entering and leaving through fisheries harbours and goods being taken in and taken out of the country. 

In the statement, Weddearachchi stated instructions were given to officials and fishing communities to form security committees to alert security forces on suspicious activities in and around all fisheries harbours. 

Instructions were also given to CFHC to take safety measures to prevent any third party from entering handling any fishing boats anchored in harbours.