Fishermen call off protest

Fishermen of about 500 mechanised boats, who were on indefinite strike for the past 15 days, to press their charter of demands including release of vessels seized by Sri Lankan Navy, today called off their stir, fishermen representatives said.

They decided to call off the protest at a meeting here as they are not able to continue their strike due to poverty, representatives said.

The fishermen also wanted to fish in their traditional fishing areas.

They would resume fishing operations tomorrow, the functionaries added.