Vino Noharaathalingam, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP for the north Sri Lankan Tamil-speaking region of Wanni, has expressed opposition to a reported plan to give China fishing rights in the Nanthikadal lagoon in Mullaitivu district, where the Liberation Tamil Tigers Eelam leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran, was killed in May 2009.
The MP told parliament on Wednesday that while the fishermen were happy with the resumption of fishing in Mullaitivu, they were dismayed that the Chinese were going to be allowed to fish in the lagoon.
Earlier, Daily Mirror had quoted the Fisheries Minister, Dr Rajitha Senaratne, as saying that a Chinese company had been given the right to establish a prawn farm in the Nanthikadal lagoon.
When Express sought more details, Senaratne denied the media report and said that while various parties had evinced interest in the commercial exploitation of the aquatic resources in the lagoon, the government had not taken a decision in the matter.
However, Tamil circles are worried not only about the foreign presence in the area, but fear loss of employment opportunities for locals.
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