In response to recent protests, the Archdiocese of Colombo has announced plans to hand over the fisheries harbor in Pitipana, Negombo, to an appropriate authority to ensure maximum benefit for the local fisherfolk.
Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando, spokesperson for Cardinal Ranjith, emphasized that there was never any intention to utilize the property for personal gain, stating, "The Cardinal never had any intention of using the property for his personal purposes at any point."
The decision to take legal action and appoint an authority was driven by the Archbishop's commitment to transparency in the administration of the fisheries harbor, Fr. Fernando clarified. He added, "We do not want to see a handful of people benefiting from it."
Fr. Fernando further explained that the Archbishop had consulted representatives from neighboring parishes before appointing the authority.
This action followed a court order issued on February 2, 2023, mandating the appointment of an authority and the transfer of all assets to their control.
The fisheries harbor, initially gifted to the United Fisheries Association under specific conditions by late Cardinal Thomas Cooray in 1963, reportedly faced violations by certain individuals claiming association membership.
Protests erupted outside the Archbishop's House by a group purporting to be fishermen, reflecting tensions surrounding the issue.
