The Hon. Nihal Galappaththi

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, the entire fresh, brackish, and marine fisheries sector that was once mishandled has now been reorganized to sustainably elevate production with people’s participation, to contribute a larger share to national income than ever before, and through that to uplift the fisheries industry so that our people—especially fisherfolk and their next generation—can live with dignity in a “prosperous country – beautiful life.” The Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources is presenting a scientific, progressive program to achieve this.

¶ 02 Accordingly, this Budget allocates increased attention to fisheries through the Ministry. For the first time in history, Rs. 780 million (Rs. 78 crore) has been allocated to develop fishing harbours and anchorages and to develop the fisheries sector in the Northern Province. To ensure the welfare of fishermen living in the North, we will develop 62 fishery anchorage sites in Jaffna, Mannar, Mullaitivu, and Kilinochchi with proper infrastructure.

¶ 03 I must also clarify that two Members representing the North spoke today about Indian fishing incursions, saying we are not acting. Our Hon. Bimal Rathnayake explained this clearly.

¶ 04 Even before the National People’s Power (NPP) Government assumed office, we, as the JVP/NPP and through the All-Island General Fisheries Federation, repeatedly went to the North, stood with the people there, and protested to stop this fish massacre. We demonstrated before the Indian High Commission with our fisherfolk. When India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj visited Sri Lanka, we brought northern fisherfolk to Colombo Fort and protested. During the Yahapalana government, when Mahinda Amaraweera was Minister, we amended the relevant law to strongly prevent these incursions, enabling very heavy fines to be imposed. We did that work and we will continue to do so. We will not go backwards, because after 70 years, the northern people placed trust in this effort to ensure national reconciliation, and we will safeguard that trust.

¶ 05 Over the next five years, for the welfare of fisherfolk and the entire country, not only in the North but also in the South, West, North-West, and East, we intend to develop every dilapidated fishery harbour and anchorage so that the benefits flow to fishermen and the people. Further, the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the Ceylon Fisheries Harbours Corporation, Ceylon Fisheries Corporation, National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA), NARA, Cey-Nor Foundation, North Sea Ltd., and the Peliyagoda Central Fish Market Complex were in a state of collapse. We have undertaken a scientific assessment and, with our movement’s intervention, plan to rebuild each of these over the next five years.

¶ 06 In past decades, an industry that could have built the country has been ruined. We tried at every turn to support governments to prevent this destruction and uplift the people, but lacked the opportunity. Due to their conduct, the sector failed. The past is not to be mocked, but to learn from, to build the future. We expect your support and will consider all constructive criticism. We pledge to complete this work for fisherfolk within the next five years.

¶ 07 Thank you.