The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi

¶ 01 Hon. Chairman, I am pleased to contribute on the Heads of the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, and the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment.

¶ 02 First, my thanks to the Hon. Minister of Fisheries and his officials. The subject of “Ocean Resources,” which had been removed earlier, has now been added back to the Fisheries Ministry where it rightly belongs. I also propose that the Ocean University of Sri Lanka be placed under this Ministry.

¶ 03 Sri Lanka can be rebuilt through our ocean resources: fisheries, marine tourism, shipping, fuel and gas, renewable energy, minerals—our ocean can power development. We need a dedicated institution and a plan to harness ocean resources sustainably.

¶ 04 However, the 2025 Budget allocates virtually nothing for the development of the fisheries industry, or for fishers’ families, especially women and children in fishing communities. Only Rs. 200 million is allocated to the National Aquaculture Development Authority—good for inland fisheries and aquaculture, but overall support is lacking.

¶ 05 The major problem today is fuel—diesel and kerosene—for multi-day vessels, one-day boats, and small outboard boats. The industry has collapsed; last year over 3,000 multi-day boats were laid up. Many fishermen cannot resume livelihoods.

¶ 06 During elections, including the last presidential and general elections, promises were made to give fishermen fuel subsidies—diesel at Rs. 150 per litre—and to give paddy farmers Rs. 154 per kilo. Today the farmer and the fisherman are abandoned. More than half of fishermen are being driven out of the industry.

¶ 07 Fuel pricing used to follow a transparent formula initiated by the late Hon. Mangala Samaraweera, reflecting global price movements. For months, that formula has not been applied. The government is even “stealing” from the formula. Restore genuine fuel relief to fishermen. I proposed to the then-Prime Minister and later President that a Rs. 25 per litre subsidy be provided; it started briefly but was halted due to elections, and subsequent payments are irregular.

¶ 08 I propose a practical mechanism: Sri Lanka has about 22 fisheries harbours through which nearly all multi-day vessels—around 7,000—refuel. Monthly consumption via these harbours is 7–8 million litres for the fleet. Allocate subsidized diesel through harbour outlets only, supervised by Fisheries officials and the Ceylon Fisheries Harbour Corporation, and sell to fishers at Rs. 150 per litre by removing harbour levies, bank deductions, and other add-ons that were promised to be scrapped. This would minimize leakage and ensure the benefit reaches fishers.

¶ 09 Multi-day vessels need Rs. 7–8 million to refit after long lay-ups: engine repairs, ice, nets, provisions—costs have risen, including VAT on ice. Provide interest- and collateral-free loans of Rs. 0.5–1.0 million repayable over a few trips to get these boats back to sea.

¶ 10 Establish a boat ambulance service and a high-speed rescue craft along the southern coast to respond to medical emergencies and tow disabled vessels; currently, the Navy cannot always deploy beyond 200 nautical miles and fuel constraints hamper rescues, leaving fishers helpless.

¶ 11 We have about 1,000 fish landing sites; during my tenure we began GPS-based surveys and upgrades—this stalled after Kalutara. Please resume. The recent attempt to amend the Fisheries Act would have imposed quota regimes and punitive measures skewed towards foreign or large corporate interests; halt that and re-draft through genuine consultations with fisher unions and stakeholders.

¶ 12 On infrastructure: funds had been allocated and contracts awarded under the previous government to develop anchorage points at Rekawa and Marawila/Matallae, but after the change of government, works stalled and sites are silted and derelict. Kirinda Harbour, built in 1977, needs proper rehabilitation—a Japanese-supported plan existed. Pursue external assistance to restore key harbours and set up the proposed ambulance and rescue capabilities.

¶ 13 Inland fisheries managed by NAQDA are performing well—support them fully.

¶ 14 Remove duties and taxes on essential fishing gear and inputs—hooks, lines, nets, fibre materials, engines and spares, accessories—and on ice. Despite promises, these taxes remain, and ice prices have risen, squeezing fishermen.

¶ 15 Stop importing canned fish and dried fish that can be locally supplied; our southern fishers can supply raw fish at Rs. 500–600 per kilo to sustain the canning industry. Imports undercut local producers; suspend for six months and assess the impact.

¶ 16 Finally, ensure communications at sea. The Ambalangoda radio station has been inactive for nearly a year, leaving small-scale fishers without reliable links to shore. Restore maritime communications and safety nets.