Jaffna District MP Ramanathan Archchuna has leveled serious corruption allegations against Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar in Parliament, demanding his resignation if the charges are proven.

Speaking during a recent parliamentary session, Archchuna accused the minister of failing to take action against illegal fishing practices and overseeing widespread corruption within the fisheries sector.

Allegations of Inaction on Illegal Fishing

The controversial MP questioned what concrete measures Chandrasekar had implemented since taking office to combat banned fishing methods, specifically karai valai (shore-seine net) and surukku valai (purse-seine net) fishing.

"Despite repeated complaints from the public, the minister has taken no action. Communities say their grievances about illegal fishing have been ignored since he took office," Archchuna charged during his parliamentary intervention.

Corruption Claims in Sea Cucumber Farming

Archchuna also highlighted alleged corruption within the sea cucumber farming sector, claiming that public complaints about malpractices have gone unaddressed.

"People complain of rampant corruption in sea-cucumber farming, yet nothing has been done," the MP stated.

In a direct challenge to the minister, Archchuna alleged that bribes were being accepted through Chandrasekar's proxies. "If I table evidence in Parliament, will you act? And if corruption is proved, are you ready to resign?" he demanded.

The Jaffna MP further pressed for transparency regarding personnel transfers within the Northern Province Fisheries Department following Chandrasekar's appointment as minister.

"The people deserve transparency on these changes," Archchuna insisted, suggesting that the transfers may have been politically motivated.

Minister Seeks Time to Respond

In response to the allegations, Minister Chandrasekar requested a two-week period to formulate his reply to the charges.

The exchange has intensified scrutiny of the Fisheries Ministry’s handling of illegal fishing and regulatory enforcement in the Northern Province. While MP Arjunan himself is a contentious figure, many fishing communities in Jaffna continue to voice frustration that their longstanding grievances are being ignored.