In Mannar District, hundreds of people demonstrated at Murunkan, demanding the government to expedite irrigation, health and transport projects. Irrigation tanks are damaged and cultivation cannot be carried out in 2,000 acres of rice land. According to reports, Irrigation Ministry has allocated Rs 22 million ($228,800) to the region, under World Bank’s North-East Irrigated Agriculture Project.
Over 100 Indian fishermen were taken into custody by local fishermen on 18 September near Pesalai on Mannar Island. Sri Lankan fishermen have complained for a long time that their livelihood was affected by encroaching Indian fishermen into the island’s territorial waters. They allege that their fishing nets are often damaged by the Indians.
Since the authorities failed to take any action, the fishermen had taken the law into their own hands and refused to hand over the arrested fishermen to the police. The Indians were released after an officer from the Indian High Commission in Colombo assured that the issue will be discussed with the Tamil Nadu and Indian governments.