Hon. Rathna Gamage, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Galle

Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources

Profession: Politician

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 35 #126 of 225·#69 in party

Attendance 6/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

35 speeches

10 June 2026 AI summary Hon. Rathna Gamage presented two petitions to Parliament from Mrs. K. G. Chamila Iroshini of Akmeemana and Mr. S. H. J. Siriwardhana of Mawadawila. No details were provided in the speech regarding the subject matter or requests contained in the petitions. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
21 May 2026 AI summary Rathna Gamage said the import and export control regulations were based on recommendations from the Food Policy and Security Committee and oversight by the Committee on Public Finance, particularly in relation to food security and essential commodities. He argued that the Government is pursuing a production-based economy and cited increased tourism earnings and workers’ remittances, while noting that the 2026 cyclone and Middle East conflict had placed pressure on the rupee in line with regional currency depreciation. He said the Government had responded by absorbing the initial shock through reduced state fuel quotas and cuts to political privileges, and framed the regulations as measures to support production, safeguard food security and stabilize the economy. Main Business: Debate on Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Appropriation Act Resolutions Public FinanceCost of LivingAgriculture Read →
20 May 2026 AI summary Deputy Minister Rathna Gamage responded to Question No. 1936/2026 on the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation, stating that it was established under Act No. 49 of 1957 to provide affordable quality fish and support cold storage and ice production. He said the Corporation has faced a capital crisis since 2010, affecting statutory payments, supplier dues, bank obligations, and services, and outlined investigations into 2024–2025 financial irregularities, including CIABOC action, arrests, disciplinary proceedings, and dismissals. He also detailed the status of nine ice plants, noting that about five are operational, and described the 2026 recovery plan targeting higher revenue and profit through new refrigerated trucks, cold store refurbishment, recovery of properties and receivables, and expansion of sales agreements. Procedural: Motions and Privilege Matter Corruption & Governance ReformPublic FinanceAgriculture Read →
20 May 2026 AI summary Hon. Rathna Gamage stated that the 2026 Budget allocated funds to settle long-overdue employee benefit arrears, including EPF, ETF and gratuity, at several loss-making State institutions. He said Rs. 5,235 million has been allocated across seven entities, with Rs. 707 million already provided to the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation and Rs. 82.9 million allocated to North Sea Ltd., and indicated that remaining arrears at the Fisheries Corporation would be settled within a month. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1-Q.7) EmploymentPublic Finance Read →
20 May 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Ministry is taking action on institutional irregularities, including recent transfers at the Fisheries Harbours Authority following an alleged financial irregularity in Trincomalee. He stated that legal action has been initiated over corruption and fraud, and attributed past problems at the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation to politically motivated appointments and poorly planned outlets. He said the Government is reclaiming and reopening Corporation outlets after feasibility studies, citing Kotte/Rajagiriya, and reported a Rs. 59 million profit last year with a target of Rs. 190 million this year. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1-Q.7) Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
6 May 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister tabled two petitions in Parliament. They were from Mrs. Anusha Niranjali Gamage of Imbulagoda, Rangama, and Mrs. M.J. Nurul Fareeza of Karapitiya, Galle. Petitions Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
17 March 2026 AI summary The Minister responded that the concerns and suggestions raised regarding canned fish exporters would be considered by the Government. He stated that the proposals would be taken into account in planning future support and interventions for the industry. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1 to Q.7 and Standing Order 27(2) questions) Agriculture Read →
17 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Rathna Gamage stated that canned fish imports have fallen by about 90 per cent, from 4,476 metric tons in 2024 to 601 metric tons in 2025, with limited imports retained for domestic and tourist demand. He said local production has increased from 180,000 to over 250,000 cans per day, factories have expanded, and exports to Canada and Middle Eastern markets have begun, with six factories currently involved. He argued that the sector’s growth is creating employment and increasing purchases of fishers’ catch for processing, while noting that the specific impediment raised was unclear. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1 to Q.7 and Standing Order 27(2) questions) EmploymentAgriculture Read →
17 March 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Minister, the Deputy Minister confirmed that fish had been imported for both local consumption and re-export, and tabled detailed Customs-based annexes on imports, taxes and related data. He provided year-wise figures for canned fish imports, including quantities and values from 2021 to 2025, and local production figures from 2022 to 2026 year-to-date. He also stated that further updated Customs data had been requested for periods not yet covered in the annexes. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1 to Q.7 and Standing Order 27(2) questions) Agriculture Read →
4 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Rathna Gamage, Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, presented a petition from Mr. W. Gunadasa of Katupolwatta, Rathgama, for the consideration of Parliament. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
19 February 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister provided figures showing 935 beach-seine licences issued across fisheries districts and outlined the permits, registration requirements, and licence conditions under the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act and related regulations. He stated that mechanized craft or equipment are not permitted for beach-seine operations under the 1984 Beach-Seine Regulations, and that temporary permissions granted in 2015-2016 for winch use in some districts were later suspended due to coastal damage and other adverse impacts. He added that, following a 13 February 2026 discussion with the President and the All-Island Beach-Seine Association, a multi-agency committee with association representation would conduct a field study on the matter. Adjournment Agriculture Read →
23 January 2026 AI summary A petition was presented on behalf of Mr. Rithin Mawadawila of Boossa, Karathuru, and 24 others. The matter was formally accepted for submission to Parliament. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
6 January 2026 AI summary Deputy Minister Rathna Gamage said the Government had introduced a new fishers’ pension scheme and the “Sayura” emergency insurance programme in its first year, describing them as measures to provide security and professional recognition to the fisheries sector. He outlined the pension contribution options and benefit tiers, invited Opposition proposals to improve the scheme, and said future policy would include formal training to attract educated youth into fisheries. He also reported on Cyclone “Dicha” warnings, damage assessments and compensation measures, including repairs, grants for fishing gear and concessional loans for affected aquaculture sectors. He further stated that the Ministry was assisting Sri Lankan fishers detained in Seychelles and that repairs to damaged radio equipment had been funded. Debate: Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act and Fishermen's Pension Regulations AgricultureSecurity & DefenceForeign Affairs Read →
26 November 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Rathna Gamage outlined the Fisheries Ministry’s 2026 budget allocations, stating that nearly Rs. 15 billion, including funds through the Budget, restructuring support and Provincial Councils, would support harbour development, landing sites, distressed state entities and post-harvest loss reduction. He said the Government aims to modernize fisheries as a production-sector industry, improve fisher livelihoods, increase fish consumption toward nutritional targets, and expand value-added exports, while addressing inherited problems in harbours and state institutions. He also noted fuel assistance provided to fishers, planned investments in northern and eastern facilities, and increased funding for inland fisheries alongside initiatives such as the “Aqua Planet - Sri Lanka, International Expo 2025.” Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day AgricultureInfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
13 November 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister said recent discussions in Mannar and Mullaitivu with Defence authorities and fisheries officials led to a decision to establish a joint operations room and hotline to address local inter-district fishing intrusions, and that he would check its status and ensure follow-up on complaints. He stated that Indian fishing incursions are being addressed through diplomatic engagement with India alongside joint Navy–Department operations, with continued efforts expected to reduce incidents. On NAQDA licensing delays, he said staff shortages had prompted recruitment requests, and interim deployment of officers from other institutions would be considered to clear backlogs in the North and speed up licensing and dispute resolution. Oral Question: Curbing Illegal Fishing in Mullaitivu and Mannar Districts (1352/2025) Foreign AffairsAgricultureSecurity & Defence Read →
13 November 2025 AI summary Rathna Gamage, replying on behalf of the Minister, said fisheries are regulated under existing Acts and 104 regulations, with 17 licensed fishing methods permitted, while unlicensed and destructive practices remain illegal across all fisheries districts, including Mullaitivu and Mannar. He stated that Cabinet has approved a new Bill to replace the current fisheries law and that recruitment of departmental officers, joint enforcement by the Navy, Coast Guard and Police, and measures against blast fishing are being pursued. He said illegal methods harm fish quality, ecosystems and livelihoods, but rejected claims of inadequate enforcement, citing ongoing patrols, raids, prosecutions and inter-agency coordination meetings to strengthen district-level countermeasures. Oral Question: Curbing Illegal Fishing in Mullaitivu and Mannar Districts (1352/2025) Public FinanceLaw & OrderAgriculture Read →
12 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Rathna Gamage said the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation had inherited liabilities of about Rs. 1,600–1,700 million, including dues to suppliers and unpaid EPF/ETF, but was now being stabilized and had recorded small profits in July and by 31 August 2025. He stated that the Government had sought two years of Treasury support to make the Corporation sustainably profitable by 2028 and rejected reports that it would be closed. He also announced plans to introduce a pension scheme for the fishing community on International Fisheries Day, 21 November. Oral Question: Ceylon Fisheries Corporation Fish Purchases (Q.2/2025) AgriculturePublic Finance Read →
12 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Rathna Gamage said CFC purchases remain about 1% of the national fish harvest and acknowledged this as inadequate, noting a five-year plan to raise the share to around 4% by 2029. He said the Ministry is reviewing previous cold-room lease agreements with the Attorney-General’s Department and seeking private investment to expand cold storage at fishery harbours. He also stated that a mother-vessel support system has been launched to reduce fuel costs and improve collection efficiency. Oral Question: Ceylon Fisheries Corporation Fish Purchases (Q.2/2025) Public FinanceAgricultureInfrastructure Read →
12 September 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Rathna Gamage provided figures on Ceylon Fisheries Corporation purchases from 2016 to July 2025, totalling 42,256 metric tons, noting that 2015 records were unavailable and that CFC purchases amounted to about 1 per cent of the national fish harvest annually. He acknowledged that CFC’s market intervention is insufficient and outlined measures including new retail outlets, cooperation with Sathosa, wholesale centres, expanded and rehabilitated cold storage, and increased supply to public institutions. He also said a “mother vessel” model is being introduced to reduce fuel costs and improve logistics for multi-day fishing boats. Oral Question: Ceylon Fisheries Corporation Fish Purchases (Q.2/2025) AgriculturePublic Finance Read →
12 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Rathna Gamage, Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, informed Parliament that he accepted four petitions from residents of Galle, Gonapinuwala, Meegahajandura, and Dodanduwa. The petitions were submitted by Mr. K.N. Silwa, Mrs. Dinuka Kalupahana, Mrs. M.K.G. Nandawaththa, and Ven. Dewramvehera Medhalankara Thera. Petitions: Various Citizens' Petitions (Multiple Ministers) Parliamentary Procedure Read →