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

¶ 01 Hon. Chairman, the Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi began with fuel subsidies and ended with narcotics smuggling — reflecting the range of perceptions confronting the Fisheries Ministry today.

¶ 02 On fuel support: you know well — you were a Fisheries Minister too — that at the height of the crisis, boats were tied up on beaches. To get them back to sea and restore both national and fisher incomes, we granted a six-month fuel support program amounting to Rs. 2.3 billion, even before the Budget took effect. Whether to continue permanent subsidies is a broader policy question; fishers should become a productive force that supports the nation, not rely perpetually on transfers. We have a program to enable that transformation.

¶ 03 Our Government’s policy clearly recognizes fisheries as a key sector for economic revival. Sri Lanka’s maritime domain is vast: 517,000 sq. km of EEZ; 2,500 sq. km of inland waters and estuaries; 1,580 sq. km of reservoirs; and 5,200 sq. km of tanks — all with strong aquaculture potential. Yet the sector remains structurally outdated: over 50,000 boats, including 7,000 multi-day vessels, many 10–20 years old; nearshore dependence; limited modern gear and deep-sea capacity; low appetite for offshore operations.

¶ 04 Globally, the culture has shifted from pure capture to aquaculture and mariculture. We must pivot accordingly, modernize fleets and technology, and move value chains up. In Budget 2025, our Ministry received Rs. 11.4 billion (Rs. 6.2 billion recurrent, Rs. 5.2 billion capital). For 2026 we have Rs. 10.6 billion (Rs. 4.1 billion recurrent, Rs. 6.5 billion capital), with an additional Rs. 1,000 million pledged by the President for fishery harbour development; Rs. 100 million for life-saving equipment; Rs. 500 million to reduce post-harvest losses; and Rs. 100 million for satellite-based communications.

¶ 05 For inland fisheries, Rs. 1,300 million is allocated — many times the previous year — to address bottlenecks. Over 3,000 million rupees was allocated last year, including Rs. 1,300 million for Kankesanthurai (KKS) fisheries harbour development. In Jaffna, we allocated Rs. 200 million last year and Rs. 220 million this year for Myliddy harbour development, plus Rs. 140 million for smaller harbours and landing sites.

¶ 06 We have also funded coastal protection to save eroding shores and fisher homes. On value addition, we stopped importing canned fish made from foreign catch. Now, canned fish is produced using Sri Lankan catch. We are also pushing dried fish and Maldive fish up the value chain with modern technology and government support. Regarding salt shortages raised by Hon. Wedaarachchi: currently Puttalam, Mannar (Manthei) and Hambantota salterns are operating with increased output. If there are spot shortages, inform us immediately — we stand ready to act.

¶ 07 From 21st to 23rd, our Ministry held a major national fisheries exhibition to reintroduce the country’s maritime and inland water riches to both our citizens and the world — our beautiful coasts, lakes and reservoirs teem with fish resources. We must utilize them properly. On the concerns raised over beach-seine losses, particularly around Negombo: we met religious leaders and communities, visited villages, and are now engaged in resolution pathways, mindful of a difficult past. We have a plan to move them toward a better future and will take it forward.

¶ 08 Thank you.