The Hon. Hector Appuhamy

¶ 01 Did you? Then you yielded your time? In any case, you were a Deputy Minister of Fisheries; that’s why I’m disappointed. You are the senior-most in the JVP in this House; we will offer our respect to your capability and humility.

¶ 02 Let us speak about Aswasuma. Ranil Wickremesinghe commenced Aswasuma replacing Samurdhi, with computerized selection criteria. Everyone recognized that selections were flawed, yet there was no way to change them because of the rigid system. You came promising change, but decided to keep the same.

¶ 03 Now, without clear criteria, Grama Niladharis and officers face difficulty compiling lists by March 31. A small committee of the GN, Samurdhi Officer, and Agrarian Officer is told to select and then feed into the system—but with no criteria. Some GNs are stepping away; without the person who knows the village best, who will mark and collate? This is a serious issue. If you cannot build a proper system and intend to distribute Aswasuma politically for provincial elections, you will become a government that squanders public funds. Please stop this and create a fair system so assistance reaches those who truly need it, and craft programs that lift the poor permanently, not just handouts.

¶ 04 On Fisheries: the fisherman, like the farmer, is special. They protect the country and bring in fish—our nutritious food—and foreign exchange. The sector is vast: river, reservoir, lagoon, and marine fisheries; large and small boats, rafts, vallams; and pond-based aquaculture. Our traditional methods like stake nets exist; we must combine them with modern technology. But your Budget presents no systemic program for fisheries.

¶ 05 Remember: a fisherman can effectively work only about six months a year; the next six months conditions prevent them from going out. Often, southern fishers migrate to the North and East seasonally. In recent times, such migration was restricted. I request that northern areas not expel these southern seasonal fishers when conditions force migration, treating everyone equally.

¶ 06 On banned methods: in Kalpitiya some methods have been prohibited by Gazette and cases are pending; usage there has stopped. But in Jaffna, new such practices continue. If a method is banned, it must be banned equally across provinces.

¶ 07 Bottom trawling: it’s banned for our people, but around 500 Indian boats come and bottom-trawl, scraping away our resource. We cannot just watch. Devise and discuss mechanisms to stop this.

¶ 08 On relief to fishermen: despite rhetoric, relief hasn’t reached many fishers or large boat owners. Instalments were to be given for six months, ending March 31; delays risk lapsing. Don’t let banks’ delaying tactics become yours.

¶ 09 The President said on day one that all tied-up large vessels would be taken to sea. What has been done? Out of 6,000 large boats, about 2,000 remain tied up. These 40–50 ft vessels require large outlays to operate for two months; after deducting costs and shares, what remains? Have you reduced taxes on parts and engines? Have you supported fish prices? Many countries give a 50% fuel subsidy to fishers; what have you done? In this Budget have you even allocated five cents for fishermen? In the South, funds were given to complete pending harbour works—good. But in Puttalam’s Muttuvaram fishery harbour, the jetty remains incomplete, with no Budget allocation. Neither large nor small-scale fishers have received even 5% relief. Do not make the fisherman a plaything.

¶ 10 Cey-Nor and North Sea produce nets. Where is the program to supply quality nets at reduced cost? Previously a net lasted 10 years; now only one or two—while costs have multiplied. Why not import good yarn and make high-quality nets?

¶ 11 From a large boat’s catch, about 20% is unfit for export due to handling. Without chilled brine baths, quality drops. Building a chilled bath costs around Rs. 10 million, but it preserves quality for export. Now fish are packed in crates with ice; much becomes only fit for domestic consumption, reducing income. Create a program to minimize post-harvest loss and boost dollar earnings. The private sector is eager to partner; reduce taxes on large boats, give fuel support, introduce new technology, and develop the export fishery. Even if not in the Budget, revise and allocate necessary funds.

¶ 12 Rescue at sea: when a boat gets into trouble, there’s no proper mechanism. After much hassle, the Navy may go; sometimes too late. We previously proposed a dedicated multi-engine standby rescue vessel and team to deploy at any time. Please establish this.

¶ 13 Illicit trafficking: from beyond Mannar to Negombo, narcotics are smuggled by boats. Coordinate Fisheries, Navy, and other agencies to intercept—this stains both our fishermen and our country and destroys foreign exchange and our people.

¶ 14 On inland aquaculture: shrimp farming has faced severe problems. Wild-caught broodstock once kept disease low, though yields were small. Vannamei was later introduced but now suffers from EHP disease at 4–6 grams, forcing premature harvests with no profit and collapsing the sector. Meanwhile, Penaeus monodon is being reintroduced, but Sri Lanka still lacks adequate hatcheries. This is an export-oriented industry with capable local firms ready to invest. Support hatchery expansion and inputs; yet not even 5% was allocated. Crabs and molluscs are farmed too, but shrimp is most profitable—create a program and fund it.

¶ 15 Lastly, fisher families live under harsh conditions by the sea. Establish social insurance to protect children’s education and parents’ welfare, and train them in modern global methods. Your Ministry’s allocations have been made traditionally, adding pieces together like a child counting one to five. I state this with regret, while affirming our readiness to support fishermen. Thank you.