In Dodanduwa, around two hundred traditional Oruwa fishing boat are going out to sea everyday, hauling their nets six to ten kilometers away. They're fishing tuna, seer, skipjack, trevally fish. Today, on the eve of bouddhism' new year, no catch, not a single fish for the Maheesha boat crew. "No rest for us, we go back tonight" says Cyril, one of the crew member. Distribution of fishing earnings is made between the fishermen and the ship-owner, 50-50.

Now local fishermen have to compete more and more with multi-days fishing boats and the increasing of Indian and Chinese fleets fishing in the territorial and international waters bordering the Economic exclusive zone of Sri Lanka. In 2016, total fish production reported in the country was 530 000 metric tons. Tuna contribute about 50% of the catch in the country. In the early 2016, EU ban Sri Lanka fish imports and set up trade restrictions for failing to properly monitor its fishing fleet, punish vessels guilty of illegal fishing and to develop robust fisheries laws. Sri Lanka was the second biggest exporter of fresh and chilled swordfish and tuna to the EU (€74 million of imports in 2013).

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