Debate pulls camps further apart View(s):Fishing has not only helped people in Negombo to maintain their main livelihood but also changed their lifestyles physically, spiritually and socially while attracting tourists with ma-del (purse seine) fishing. Ma-del fishing, with its own set of problems such as bycatch, has triggered protests over the use of winches and tractors to pull nets ashore. Liyanage Ranjan Fernando, 74, owner of Maha Paduwa Palangathure, said: “We lay our fishing nets only up to a distance of about one and a half miles from shore. First, the fishermen have difficulties in getting enough people to pull nets. Using tractors, they deprive our tourists of their golden chance of seeing our traditional method of fishing accompanied by age-old folk songs.

Source: Sunday Times February 15, 2026 07:21 UTC