The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi
Called for compensation to be paid to all families affected by past violence, including both victims and the Government’s own supporters who died, while also urging punishment of those responsible for killings. On fisheries, he disputed claims that beached boats had returned to work, stating that many multi-day vessels remained unable to operate because of the fuel crisis and engine damage. He proposed Rs. 5 million concessional loans to repair and relaunch such boats and an increase in targeted fuel support from Rs. 25 to Rs. 100 per litre through Ceylon Fishery Harbours Corporation tokens for multi-day fishing fleets.
Verbatim record (translated)
Machine-translated from Sinhala / Tamil / English¶ 01 I am not afraid. I say: while compensating those families, also compensate your comrades who sacrificed their lives. Pay both sides. Punish the killers. My proposal is for compensation to all affected families.
¶ 02 On fisheries: the Minister said farmers are fine and fishermen who beached their boats are back at work. But in 2023, 3,000 multi-day boats were beached; nearing end-2024, many still cannot sail due to the fuel crisis. Engines are seized; boats are damaged. I propose Rs. 5 million concessional loans to repair and relaunch these boats, and increase fuel support from Rs. 25 to Rs. 100 per litre via Ceylon Fishery Harbours Corporation tokens for multi-day fleets. Nationwide, about 7 million litres of diesel per month are needed for multi-day fleets; targeted support would help without reducing retail prices for all.
Provenance
- Source
- Hansard, Friday, 6 December 2024 ·No. 1734424725051921 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
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Cite as: The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi. 10th Parliament, Parliament of Sri Lanka. Hansard, 6 December 2024. No. 1734424725051921. Politick, https://staging.politick.io/lk/speeches/19618