The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, since this morning the debate has proceeded well, though a few “bears” have wandered in. I must note: whether Opposition or Government, many Members—G.G. Ponnambalam, Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi, others, as well as our Government side—offered firm and constructive ideas on this Ministry. One exception spoke as if he had just woken up now, though absent in the morning; our Members already answered the points raised earlier.

¶ 02 Some keep repeating the same words and accusations. Let me say: I have been Minister for only four months, yet Members speak as if we have ruled forever and managed the fisheries sector all along. I will not be perturbed. “Let those who blame, blame; those who praise, praise; let my path be straight.” We are conducting a deep assessment in all 15 coastal districts—North, East, and South—of fishermen’s problems.

¶ 03 Order, please! At this time, the Deputy Chairperson of Committees will take the Chair.

¶ 04 Whereupon THE HON. AJANTHA GAMMEDDAGE left the Chair, and THE HON. DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES took the Chair.

¶ 05 We, upon taking over, reviewed all institutions under the Ministry—Ceylon Fisheries Corporation (CFC), NAQDA, Cey-Nor Foundation Ltd., North Sea Ltd., and others—held deep discussions with officials, and prepared a new work plan to uplift fisheries. We found these institutions in collapse: each burdened with over Rs. 1,000 million in debt, unable even to remit over Rs. 600 million in EPF/ETF dues to workers, with bank loans in default. We must rebuild the Ministry and sector from this state.

¶ 06 As many Members pointed out, people—especially northern fishermen—gave us overwhelming support. From this Parliament, we pledge to northern fishermen that we will not betray their trust. We are not mere onlookers; we have lived among them, eaten with them, and understand their issues. We are rebuilding infrastructure across the North: harbours such as Point Pedro, Myliddy, Pesalai in Mannar, and those in Mullaitivu, are being rehabilitated.

¶ 07 Recently, we convened Provincial Secretaries from all nine provinces to discuss problems and to rebuild inland fisheries and ornamental aquaculture. It is clear that if we properly develop this sector, we can transform our country. Though we could not visit Batticaloa, Ampara, and Trincomalee recently, we will certainly engage closely and provide maximum cooperation to resolve issues.

¶ 08 I thank our Ministry’s Director General, Secretaries, Directors, and officers for their immense cooperation during this Budget debate.

¶ 09 To clarify on fuel subsidies: some said boat fuel subsidies were not received. Our records show 31,143 registered multi-day and other craft have been provided more than Rs. 800 million in fuel subsidies. We are ready to provide further subsidies. Delays have occurred because subsidy cards must be updated monthly; many have not. Also, transactions are via banks; we remit to banks, which then credit fishermen’s accounts. Incorrect or outdated account details have caused delays; we are rectifying these. Over Rs. 3,000 million remains to be disbursed, and we will allocate it to fishermen as fuel subsidies in the coming period.