The Hon. Rathna Gamage - Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources

¶ 01 Mr. Presiding Member, we discussed fishermen’s pensions and other matters today. We are proud to speak on a fishers’ pension for the first time in Sri Lankan history. The Opposition Leader may have cried out before, but when in power, nothing was done. Wailing has no value if you fail to act when in government.

¶ 02 Someone spoke about crabs dancing in boiling water before death. Let them watch as the temperature reaches 100 degrees Celsius and beyond—then what follows is predictable.

¶ 03 Even in Opposition, some spoke without malice. No prior government built a robust fishers’ pension like this. Within our first year, we created “Sayura” emergency insurance and a stable pension mechanism. The farmers’ pension began in 1988 under Gamini Jayasuriya—good in concept. In 1990 fishers, too, were included. But the maximum benefit then was only Rs. 4,160; 69,000 contributed; only 6,209 received benefits—meager. That did not attract youth to fishing due to lack of security.

¶ 04 Now we have established a simple, structured pension. From age 18 to 55, contributors can pay monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, or in a lump sum. Monthly pensions at age 60 are Rs. 5,000; then Rs. 6,250 (64–70), Rs. 10,000 (71–77), and Rs. 25,000 (78+). Higher contribution tiers start similarly but scale up so that the top tier reaches Rs. 25,000 at ages 60–63 and Rs. 125,000 per month after 78. If this is insufficient, bring your proposals—we are ready to incorporate reasonable Opposition suggestions. Appreciate that we are doing what was never done.

¶ 05 In our first year we launched “Sayura” emergency insurance and the pension. We aim to make fisheries a respected profession. A boat “skipper” is effectively a captain and should be treated as such. Going forward, we will professionalize training—even A/L math stream, physics, mechanics, friction, resistance, Coriolis effect—so that fisheries becomes attractive for educated youth.

¶ 06 On Cyclone “Dicha,” within 24 hours of forecasts we notified to withdraw about 390 vessels, minimizing damage. Now a low-pressure persists in the Bay of Bengal—winds may reach 30–60 km/h—we will alert accordingly to minimize harm.

¶ 07 “Dicha” caused total damage to 341 fishing craft and partial damage to 460; financial losses of Rs. 189.42 million. Engine and gear damage to 1,484 units—loss Rs. 533.248 million. Inland water incidents: 1,287; total losses Rs. 3,852.4 million; 690 reservoirs damaged; production losses Rs. 1,594 million; fish stock losses Rs. 538 million. The President said compensation would be paid—it is underway. We will repair 105 totally damaged small craft, and 210 partially damaged craft are being attended to. For net gear: Rs. 75,000 for inland, Rs. 100,000 for marine. For aquaculture and pet fish sectors across several districts, we are also arranging concessional loans with the Finance Ministry.

¶ 08 Regarding Seychelles: their laws are stringent. Like we prosecute Indian incursions, they damage or destroy vessels and detain crew, with strong quarantine protocols. Our Ministry has contacted missions; the crew will be produced in court, and we are monitoring and assisting.

¶ 09 On damaged radio equipment: repairs are done; Rs. 26.5 million allocated; do not cite outdated info. Be glad that we are building pension and insurance for fishers. A better era is coming; we seek Opposition cooperation. Thank you.