The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah

¶ 01 Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, I am pleased to join the Committee Stage debate on the Expenditure Head of the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources. The Hon. Minister Ramalingam Chandraseker is a long-standing friend and amiable colleague. The fisheries sector is the backbone of our economy, a domestic revenue generator. Yet successive Governments, including the present one, have allocated minimal funds to this Ministry.

¶ 03 Under our late leader M.H.M. Ashraff, a commercial harbour was built at Oluvil. Later administrations neglected it. The Fisheries Ministry subsequently gazetted part of it as a fishery harbour, but siltation has choked operations. Ampara fishermen, especially from Kalmunai, spent nearly Rs. 7 million on dredging-related efforts, yet no further development has occurred. I request the Minister and Government to develop the gazetted area of Oluvil Fishery Harbour by removing silt without harming adjacent communities. There are over 250 multi‑day boats in Kalmunai; due to lack of a functional harbour, they use ports over 100 miles away. The Eastern Province, which produces a significant share of fish, still lacks proper harbours. Dredging and extending facilities at Oluvil could support 500+ boats.

¶ 04 Valaichchenai is a key harbour in the Eastern Province, but its facilities are inadequate, forcing over 300 boats to moor outside. The Minister, Secretary, and officials present should urgently address this and lengthen the jetty. In Batticaloa District, Poonochchimunai has long requested a landing facility. If full construction is not feasible, install a floating jetty—a low-cost method used in Japan, Korea, and China. We are ready to help mobilize external support.

¶ 05 On VMS (Vessel Monitoring System): multi‑day boats were told units were “free,” yet many paid about Rs. 70,000 for installation and US$10 monthly when the dollar was Rs. 150 (about Rs. 1,500). With the dollar now ~Rs. 300, they pay around Rs. 5,500 per month per boat. Maintenance is outsourced to a private firm, but sea exposure causes frequent faults—wires corrode, minor repairs cost Rs. 5,000, a wire roll Rs. 20,000, an LCD button Rs. 45,000, and lightning damages circuits costing ~Rs. 350,000. Whether boats go to sea or not, monthly fees continue, burdening already poor fishermen. Please review fee structures and maintenance support.

¶ 06 Another serious issue is fish theft at sea. A 1,000‑metre, 5.5‑inch deep‑sea net that once cost Rs. 34,000 now costs Rs. 88,000, and when set, organized groups cut nets and steal catches. They even register 40 hp engines on IMULA boats and use VMS‑equipped multi‑day boats. When caught, police can only impose Rs. 5,000 fines due to lack of a specific offence for “fish theft.” I urge the Minister to bring legislation prescribing stringent penalties for such theft, and meanwhile to coordinate with Navy, Army, and Police for enforcement.

¶ 07 Fisher families showed me their broken homes and hardships; despite spending lakhs monthly on trips, returns are nil. Please intervene to ensure they see progress in their lifetimes. Thank you.