Fisheries minister Mahinda Amaraweera says the loss due to the ban amounts to around 100 US dollars.

Attempts to secure new markets in China, Russia and the US had failed, he says.

All fishing boats will be equipped with equipment to avoid violations of international laws, a reason which has led to the ban, says the minister.

In the future, fishermen who violate the laws will be fined and their boats and equipment forfeited, according to him.