Fishermen in the Negombo lagoon protested today (17) against the digging of the lagoon to launch a sea plane project.
Over 1,000 fishermen and villagers had participated in the protest.
Hundreds of fishing boats had also entered the lagoon to prevent the digging up of the lagoon.
The protest had created a tense situation in the area and the protesters had called on the government to shelve the sea plane project.
Convener of the Movement for the Protection of Negombo lagoon, Herman Kumara the media that they will not leave the lagoon until the excavation machinery including backhoe machines are removed from the area.
According to the Movement, the Negombo Lagoon is one of the richest resources in Asia, as it is a Ramsar Wetland in Sri Lanka. After considering the protest, authorities have agreed to suspend work on the project.
Gampaha district MP Dr. Sudarshani Fernandopulle said the agitation ended after she had mediated.
Economic development minister Basil Rajapaksa was unaware that such a demonstration was to take place, she said, adding that he wanted to resolve the matter through discussion.
Dr. Fernandopulle, who is the SLFP electoral organizer for the area, said even she was not aware of the problem.
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