Hundreds of boats gathered for the Nov. 17 protest organized by the Alliance for Protection of Negombo Lagoon.
Earlier, Sri Lankan Navy personnel removed equipment from the lagoon in anticipation of the event.
“The government has selected Mada Bokka Bay, one of the richest areas for shrimp fishing, for excavation,” said Father Terrence Fernando, human rights coordinator for Colombo archdiocese.
“This will cause damage to the lagoon which will affect fishermen who are the poorest of the poor,” said Father Fernando, who was one of the 14 priests who participated in the demonstration.
“We are totally against this destruction and strongly urge the government to stop this project,” said Father Fernando.
Sri Lanka’s Civil Aviation Ministry proposes to build a sea plane landing site in order to cater for an anticipated tourist boom.
“We need development in our country. But the government should not disturb the lives and livelihoods of the lagoon fisher people,” said Saman Fernando, a lagoon fisherman who joined the protest in his boat.
“We are living simply with what we earn. We educate our children from the income,” continued Fernando. “Please do disturb our mother the lagoon,” he appealed.
The protest was dispersed by Navy personnel after a warning from a government official who blamed local priests for their role in the protest.
“You, Catholic priests are responsible for agitating among the fisher people. We will continue this project at any cost,” the official told a protester.
However, protesters said they would refuse to leave without halting dredging and digging operations at the site.
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