Subsidies for fisher-folk and Samurdhi recipients

Rohan Mathes

COLOMBO: In the wake of escalating oil prices in the global market and its impact on the 'Cost of Living' the Government as a relief measure has decided to grant a subsidy to the fishing community and the Samurdhi recipients.

Cabinet Spokesman and Media Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa addressing the weekly Cabinet press briefing at the Government Information Department in Narahenpita, said the Government in its genuine efforts to ease the stress and the impact of the rising CoL burden on the low income groups has decided to grant Rs. 4,000 kerosene subsidy to the 16,036 fishing-boat owners for August only.

Thereafter, he said that the fisher-folk will be entitled to a 'Guaranteed Price' arranged by the Fisheries Corporation, on their catch.

Yapa also announced that following a Cabinet decision, the government has also agreed to grant the Samurdhi recipients deprived of electricity, a Rs. 100 kerosene subsidy per each Samurdhi family, beginning from September. A total of 641,520 Samurdhi families are to benefit under this scheme.

"The Government will allocate around Rs. 320.6 million this year for these subsidies," he said. Cultural Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena informed of the National Literary Festival scheduled to be held from September 20 to 23 at the Horana Sripalee College under the auspices of the Cultural Ministry.

Abeywardena said schoolchildren from Kalutara district in collaboration with the Education Department will participate in a selection of literary disciplines, including workshops, book launching and libraries.

It would also be a platform for the exchange of views with their counterparts abroad. The festival will also pay tribute to artistes who have rendered yeoman service in the country's literary sphere. "The next festival will be held in Matara," he added.

Sri Lanka Ramanya Nikayarakshaka Association General Secretary S. V. D. Kesarralal Gunasekera said the foundation stone for the construction of a Head Office for the Sri Lanka Ramanya Nikayarakshaka Sabha will be laid on September 14 at Narahenpita opposite Apollo Hospital by the Mahanayaka Thera of the Nikaya, Ven. Weweldeniya Medhalankara Thera.

"The 5,000 square feet building estimated to cost around Rs. 250 million, is to solve a long-felt need of the Buddhists," Gunasekera said.

Responding to queries from journalists on inviting the LTTE for a negotiated settlement to the ethnic conflict, Yapa pointed out that consistently the Government has been inviting the LTTE to join the negotiating table to seek a peaceful solution to the crisis.

Abeywardena responding to a question on the provision of suitable security to journalist Iqbal Athas stated that the security as appropriate will be given to Athas on his request for the same, but to date, he has not made a request.