The small meshed gillnet fishery is the dominant gear used in the exploitation of small pelagics in Sri Lanka. The paper describe the status of this fishery during 1989-1990 period in the west A south coast of the Island. Fishing is usually carried out in the continental shelf area within the depth range of 10-70 m. Both traditional and introduced crafts with horse power 8- 25 are engaged in this fishery. A wide- range of mesh sizes varying from 9..4 mm to 90 mm are being used targeting a variety of species. A tendency to use smaller mesh sizes were Observed. The fishing effort in the study area has declined during the past few. years. The average catch rates of the fishery remained more or less unchanged from 1983/84 period with increase in catch rates in Matara and Kalutara. The highest catch rates were recorded for FRP boats from Chi law (179.5 kg) and Negombo (42.0 kg). Tangalle recorded the highest catch rate for non mechanized crafts (17.4 kg) and for mechanized traditional crafts (23.kg) in 1989. The present production of small pelagic have been estimated at 22868 MT. The highest product ion was recorded from Chilaw followed by Negombo and Tangalle.