The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, the reply is as follows:

¶ 02 (a) (i) In Sri Lanka, the fishing industry can be categorized into three main sectors: marine fisheries, inland fisheries and aquaculture. As an industry, many people engage directly and indirectly across all stages until products reach consumers, including fishers in marine and inland fisheries, boat builders, various distributors, importers/exporters, wholesalers and retailers of fish products.

¶ 03 According to statistical data published by this Ministry in 2024, the number of active fishers engaged in the fishing industry is approximately 320,470. Of them, 225,480 are marine fishers from 188,940 marine fishing households, and 94,990 are inland fishers from 83,960 inland fishing households.

¶ 04 (ii) Yes. Considering the hazardous and precarious nature of the industry, the Ministry has paid special attention to a personal insurance scheme for fishers. Accordingly, two personal insurance schemes for fishers are being implemented by the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation and the Social Security Board. Fishers have been advised to enroll, and implementation is ongoing.

¶ 05 (iii) Fisher Safety Insurance (Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation), implemented since 2022, had 10,869 paying members in 2025.

¶ 06 Sayura Fisher Personal Insurance (Social Security Board) provides the following benefits: for accidental death or permanent disability during fishing operations, contributors paying Rs. 1,915 per installment are covered up to Rs. 1,000,000; those paying Rs. 2,605 up to Rs. 1,500,000; and those paying Rs. 3,165 up to Rs. 2,000,000. Additional benefits include coverage for permanent partial disability, natural death, missing at sea, hospitalization, air ticket insurance, accidental death (fisher), and schoolchildren’s educational expenses.

¶ 07 A new Fisher Pension and Social Security Benefits Scheme is being implemented jointly by the Ministry of Fisheries, the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the National Aquaculture Development Authority of Sri Lanka, and the Social Security Board. This unique contributory pension scheme for the fisher community was launched on World Fisheries Day, 21 November 2025. Fishers may now enroll through the District Offices of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, NAQDA District Offices, and the Social Security Board.

¶ 08 Under this scheme, contributors are entitled to a monthly pension from the retirement age (upon completion of 60 years) for life, with pension benefits adjusted so that the value increases with age. A lump sum is payable in the event of permanent total/partial disability or death. Legal amendments are being made to extend future pension benefits to spouses as well.

¶ 09 (b) Not applicable.