The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe

¶ 01 Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, I am pleased to speak in the Committee Stage debate on the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic Resources and Marine Resources in the 2026 Budget.

¶ 03 The Creator has provided livelihoods to every living being, including humans. In Sri Lanka, fishers seek livelihoods in freshwater and the sea, risking their lives even in the deep sea. In the Eastern Province, 97,790 people engage in fisheries; in the Northern Province, 41,667 are full-time fishers. The North and East together account for 63 percent of the coastline—40 percent in the North and 23 percent in the East. These coasts host rich fisheries potential suited for fishing, aquaculture, and tourism. After agriculture, fisheries is the key sector in both provinces.

¶ 04 About 22 percent of national fish production comes from the North and East. There are 145 large, modernized, multi-day vessels in the North and 971 in the East. Such operations require proper harbour infrastructure.

¶ 05 In Ampara, there are about 300 deep-sea motorized boats and 1,200 outboard boats. Around 23,000 families depend on fisheries. If the Oluvil Fisheries Harbour is operational, it can generate about Rs. 10 million per month. The Oluvil seas host many export species such as grouper, large trevally, and emperor fish. If operations and exports are developed, poverty among fishers will be reduced and national income enhanced.

¶ 06 In the Eastern Province, fishery harbours are located at Trincomalee, Valaichchenai, and Oluvil. Multi-day vessels require cold rooms, water tanks, and storage to fish safely for many days. However, due to lack of adequate harbours, fishers rely on smaller facilities, and the sector has declined. Therefore, I urge the Ministry to complete coastal protection works at Oluvil, operationalize the harbour, and increase national and local economic development.

¶ 07 The Oluvil harbour, built with substantial foreign funding, should be made operational after completing coastal protection so that local residents and fishers are not affected. Ministers in successive Governments have visited and promised action, including the current Minister. However, recently nothing concrete has happened, prompting concerns among fishers and the public. Please complete the coastal protection and open the harbour.

¶ 08 Floods in 2024 damaged boats and fishing gear in Pottuvil, Akkaraipattu, Thirukkovil, and Oluvil. No compensation has been paid yet. I table the list sent by the Assistant Director of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (Kalmunai District Office) to the District Secretary detailing losses suffered by fishers in Pottuvil, Akkaraipattu, and Addalaichenai. Now the Ampara District is again facing floods; much of the East is submerged. The entire district is underwater; by tonight the situation may worsen. The Government must urgently provide relief to the people, especially fishers whose livelihoods have been disrupted for months. Please provide compensation swiftly.

¶ 09 I also commend Hon. Deputy Minister Ratna Gamage, who visited Ampara, met fishers, and engaged with them. He is experienced, having served like me in a Provincial Council.

¶ 10 In times of disaster—floods, storms, cyclones—we must act together beyond politics. I request the Fisheries Minister to act accordingly. Finally, I ask the Government to do good for our people. Thank you.