Let us Protect Rathgama Lagoon- Says SFO-Galle Fisher Leaders

Southern Fisheries Organization-Galle has organized a dialogue between fisher people around Rathgama Lagoon and relevant government officials today, which was held at SFO-Galle office. The long term struggle to protect Rathgam lagoon is one of the main agenda item among the SFO-Galle team. The officials from Wild Life department, Environmental authority, irrigation department, Grama Niladari officers, fisher leaders, environmental activists and women concerned attended the meeting today. The Rathgam lagoon has been encroached by hoteliers and these attempts were prevented with the mediation of the people around the lagoon. However,there were series of requests, complains were made by the fisher people and some concerned groups including SFO-Galle was not heard by the authorities and hoteliers continued their tasks while destroying important wetland of Rathgam lagoon. Today, SFO-Galle took the initiative and brought the relevant authorities together to discuss and find ways to protect the Rathgam lagoon as a collective effort. The officials, fisher leaders, activists of NAFSO and SFO-Galle agreed to work together and prevent the destruction of Rathgam lagoon. The group undertook some responsibilities and agreed to meet again within 3 months time to assess the progress and evaluate the collaboration activities.