2026-02-19 / Adjournment and Adjournment Questions 2026-02-19
## Summary
Deputy Minister Rathna Gamage provided a detailed ministerial response on behalf of the Minister of Fisheries regarding the licensing and regulation of madal (traditional seine) fishing operations in Sri Lanka. He confirmed that 935 madal licences have been issued across 13 fishing districts, with the highest concentrations in Batticaloa (144), Kalmunai (133), and Tangalle (130), and outlined the three categories of licensing documents issued by the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
The Deputy Minister clarified that mechanized equipment is expressly prohibited under the 1984 Madal Fishing Regulations, which define madal as a seine hauled manually by two groups on shore. He acknowledged that temporary permissions for mechanized use were granted in 2015 in four districts following a request from the All Ceylon Madal Fisheries Association, but these were suspended in February 2016 due to concerns about coastal damage.
Regarding current measures, the Deputy Minister stated that no new prohibition was necessary as the 1984 regulations remain in force. He further noted that on 13 February 2026, following discussions between the Madal Fisheries Association and the President, a multi-agency committee — including NARA, MEPA, CEA, and other relevant bodies — was established, held its first meeting on 16 February 2026, and is expected to submit recommendations within three months, with field studies commencing from the end of February.
Hon. Presiding Member, on behalf of the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, I reply as follows:
01. By fishing districts, the number of madal licences issued is as follows:
- Colombo – 26
- Chilaw – 09
- Puttalam – 96
- Mannar – 39
- Jaffna – 75
- Mullaitivu – 84
- Trincomalee – 111
- Batticaloa – 144
- Kalmunai – 133
- Matara – 04
- Galle – 50
- Kalutara – 22
- Tangalle – 130
Accordingly, a total of 935 madal licences have been issued.
02. Yes. The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources issues:
i. Madal Harbour Permission
ii. Madal Fishing Operations Licence
iii. Certificate of Registration of Madal Fishing Craft
Conditions include:
i. Compliance with the provisions of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act, No. 2 of 1996 and regulations and orders made thereunder;
ii. Full particulars of the fishing craft used for madal operations;
iii. The permitted fishing method, type, quantity and specifications of gear;
iv. The fishing area, landing site, fishing seasons, fishing hours and permitted species under the licence.
03. No. The use of mechanized craft or mechanized equipment is not permitted for madal. Under the 1984 Madal Fishing Regulations:
- “(1) No person shall, during the period specified in regulation 4, use any mechanized craft within the waters of a madal harbour.”
- “(2) No person shall, within any madal harbour, use or operate any mechanized craft for the purpose of catching fish by means of a madal seine.”
Further, according to the definition in regulation 33, “madal” is a seine that must be hauled manually by two groups of men on the shore using two hauling ropes attached to the net.
04. By letters issued on 2015.06.29 by the then Director-General to the Assistant Directors in Trincomalee, Mullaitivu, Puttalam and Mannar, considering a request from the All Ceylon Madal Fisheries Association and resolutions adopted at its annual general meeting on 2015.05.14, temporary permissions were granted in certain districts to use machinery for madal operations as follows:
- 2015.06.29:
- Puttalam – 18
- Mullaitivu – 17
- Mannar – 06
- Trincomalee – 09
- 2015.09.30:
- Puttalam – 07
- Trincomalee – 04
- 2016.02.10:
- Puttalam – 01
- Mullaitivu – 01
- Mannar – 01
- Negombo – 04
- Jaffna – 02
However, on 2016.02.29, citing coastal damage and other adverse impacts, the same Director-General suspended the temporary permissions. All Assistant Directors were informed in May 2016.
05. No new prohibition was required, as the 1984 Madal Regulations do not permit the use of mechanized equipment. All licences presently issued for madal operations are subject to those regulations. No person may carry out madal operations contrary to those regulations; doing so would be unlawful.
06. On 2026.02.13, following a discussion between the All Ceylon Madal Fisheries Association and His Excellency the President, it was decided to appoint a committee comprising stakeholders from:
- Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources
- Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
- National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA)
- Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management Department (CC&CRM)
- Department of Wildlife Conservation
- Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA)
- Central Environmental Authority (CEA)
together with representatives of the All Ceylon Madal Fisheries Association.
The committee held its inaugural meeting on 2026.02.16 and decided to submit recommendations within three months. NARA has prepared a timeline to commence the necessary field studies from the end of February.
Thank you.