A Round Table discussion
was held toward to ratify the C-188 fisheries convention which was adapted by
ILO at the Ranuka Hotel in Colombo on 20 January 2022. It seemed that there was
a more practical discussion among the representatives from government and
fisheries communities. Mr. Anthony Jesudasan, Program Coordinator of People’s
to people dialogue on sustainable development set the objective and welcome the
participants in the program. Mr. Thomas Kribe, from ILO addressed the meeting
about the C-188 fisheries convention and fisher communities. A representative
from Northern Province Fisher People Unity explained the existing situation of
the fisher community and issues of them. Mr. Chinthan De Silva Coordination
Secretary from Fisheries Ministry addressed the
meeting regarding the practical situation of this intervention and
initiatives of the C-188 fisher convention
Dr. Gayathri Lokuge, from
Poverty Analyze Center explained the policies and structural gaps related to
ILO convention. Mr. Wasanthan, Senior
Assistant Secretary involved explaining the challenges of ratifying the C-188
fisheries convention. As well as, Mr. Herman Kumara, National Convener of
National Fisheries Solidarity Movement addressed the meeting explaining the
challenges and the way of facing to the challenges in the process of ratifying
the ILO C-188 fisher convention in the Sri Lankan context. The representatives
from the government sector, civil organizations, District Coordinators from Trincomale, Mannar, Ampara, Galle,
Matara, Jaffna, Killinochchi, Kaluthara and Gampaha districts, representatives
from Northern Province Fisher People Unity and representatives of National
Fisheries Solidarity Movement such as Priyankara Costa, Lavina Hasanthi,
Francis Rajan, Pradeep Laksiri and Nuwan Pradeep participated in the meeting.
