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

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, during the Committee Stage on the Ministry of Fisheries, I intend, as the Deputy Minister, to set out our position. For 2026, our Ministry has received a significant allocation under the President’s Budget, plus additional funds for restructuring distressed entities and allocations via Provincial Councils. We extend our gratitude to the Hon. President and the Ministry of Finance.

¶ 02 The Fisheries Ministry is one of the three pillars powering a production economy. Building the fisheries industry is our Government’s responsibility and challenge. Historically, fisheries were handled as day-to-day tasks, not as an industry. We must re-establish it as a modern industry, contributing to national production, providing dietary protein to all citizens, and earning foreign exchange.

¶ 03 We will integrate traditional know-how with modern technology; safeguard fisher livelihoods; increase catch; reduce post-harvest losses; and improve distribution. We are preparing a comprehensive process so that 2026 will usher in a better era for fisheries and fisherfolk.

¶ 04 This year, Rs. 10.6 billion has been allocated to our Ministry—the first time a double-digit billion allocation was made, under President Anura Dissanayake. Additionally, state entities were left with debts and losses—Lanka Fisheries Corporation had a Rs. 1.6 billion hole; North Sea Ltd. was rendered loss-making. The President has now allocated Rs. 5,000 million to revive ten such institutions, with an expected return of at least Rs. 1,000 million, taking our total to Rs. 11.6 billion. Further, an additional Rs. 2 billion announced in the Budget speech brings it to Rs. 13.6 billion, plus Rs. 748 million via the Provincial Councils—almost Rs. 15 billion in total. This is unprecedented and will create a favorable environment for the fisheries sector.

¶ 05 We inherited numerous crises: many harbours—Kirinda, Ambalangoda, Hikkaduwa, Panadura—were built without feasibility, now clogged with sand; Oluvil Harbour has become a sports ground; we could play cricket there. We must now allocate funds annually to remove sand and rectify these issues. Despite the problems created, we are fixing them.

¶ 06 For harbour development in 2026, we have allocated over Rs. 1,000 million, plus Rs. 300 million for four named harbours, and Rs. 1,950 million specifically for Valachchenai Harbour in the Eastern Province. We have also allocated Rs. 500 million to develop selected fish landing sites in the North—Silawathura, Chankalai, Kilinochchi, Poonakary, Mullaitivu, Jaffna, and Karainagar—since post-harvest handling and value preservation are lacking there.

¶ 07 On fuel prices, from the day we assumed office, we reduced fuel. At the President’s swearing-in, we provided Rs. 2.3 billion in fuel support for fishers to relaunch stalled crafts. We gave six months of fuel assistance, returning many boats to sea. Those who now complain oversaw the period with the highest fuel prices, and fishers paid for those mistakes. We will regularize harbours and ensure they function properly.

¶ 08 We accept criticism, but we have a clear plan. By the end of five years, we will meet national protein needs through a strengthened fisheries sector. WHO recommends 64 grams of daily fish consumption per person; we are at 34 grams. Our annual fish consumption is 534,000 metric tons, but post-harvest losses are about 40 per cent. We have set up programmes to reduce these losses, including Rs. 500 million this Budget.

¶ 09 Beyond domestic consumption, we must expand to international markets with value addition. From 21–23 this month, we held “Aqua Planet - Sri Lanka, International Expo 2025” at Lotus Tower, with significant local and foreign participation: marine and freshwater products, ornamental fish, dried fish, jar products, Maldive fish, etc. We are nurturing a new food culture based on fish products.

¶ 10 We will prioritize inland fisheries as well as marine. For inland fisheries, we have allocated Rs. 1,285 million—an 80 per cent increase over last year. We are coordinating between Central Government and Provincial Councils through a standing committee meeting quarterly to align funds and programmes, including the NAQDA plan for 2026 to significantly increase inland aquaculture output.

¶ 11 We are convening fisheries coordination committees in 20 of 25 districts to resolve local issues.

¶ 12 On stake-net operations using tractors: we are not arbitrarily stopping livelihoods, but we have called for fresh feasibility and environmental assessments because ecosystems include macro and micro fauna across land, lagoon, and littoral zones. The Coast Conservation Department and Department of Wildlife have reported concerns previously; we must act responsibly.

¶ 13 This Budget lifts the fisheries industry and sets a positive future for fishers. Thank you.