The Hon. Jagath Vithana

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, to strengthen the fisheries sector, you must first address costs. Diesel and kerosene prices were raised last night, making operations even harder. Imposing VMS units on boats with an upfront Rs. 900,000 charge to fishers is excessive—these units were provided through Australian assistance. On top of that, Rs. 72,000 per month is charged to fishers, and Rs. 57,000 separately by a private entity for “maintenance.” Instead, provide these devices on easy-payment terms.

¶ 02 Beruwala harbour is in disrepair—no one wants to berth or launch there. New entrants to the sector have declined sharply. When a VMS indicates a vessel may have crossed maritime boundaries, licences are cancelled for three months; during that time the vessel deteriorates, engines fail, and dengue risks arise from stagnant water. Rather than only punish, provide support.

¶ 03 A pension scheme for fishers is good in principle. But fishers do not have EPF/ETF, similar to private bus workers. If you can deliver a truly uninterrupted pension without such contribution bases, that would be excellent. I have further points, but my time is up.