Fishermen in Trincomalee District continue to suffer as a result of Army restrictions on fishing. Following the ceasefire in February 2002, some restrictions were removed, but others remain. Eight fishermen were fined Rs 2,000 ($21) each on 23 January by the Trincomalee magistrate for fishing in areas declared by the military as high security zones.
There are 29,000 fishermen in 110 villages in the district. Of the 5,000 fishermen who fled to India in the 1990s, some 3,000 have returned, but most have not been able to continue their occupation. Many have lost their fishing equipment and boats in the violence. Only 15% of the 1,600 boats are now in use.
A tenement in the Allesthottam refugee camp was burned by unidentified persons on 12 January. Resident J Nadarajah managed to escape with his wife and children. But their meagre possessions were destroyed. The police have launched an investigation.