A fresh public campaign is underway in Batticaloa against a proposed prawn-farming and an ilmenite mining that is already underway in the east.
Gathering in front of Gandhi Park on 25 April, they noted that both projects were abandoned in 2019 following public outcries.
But, attempts are being made to revive the plans with the support of east governor Senthil Thondaman and state minister Sivanesathurai Chadrakanthan alias Pillayan, they said.
Following their protest, they met the district secretary and handed over a letter.
At the district secretariat, persons supporting the projects disrupted them.
One protestor said mining for ilmenite is ongoing in a 15-km shoreline between Verugal and Kayankudah.
Also, a prawn farm is to come up in a 2,000 acre to 2,500 acre area near Panichchankerni river.
The plan is to bring a total of 3,000 hectares under the project.
It will adversely affect the livelihood of 15,000 small scale fishermen and more than 4,000 dairy farmers, who own more than 45,000 cattle as well as goats.
Letters have been written to president Ranil Wickremesinghe, highlighting the loss of livelihoods and the destruction of environment due to both projects.
