Insurance and pension for fishermen:

Fish at affordable price

Mahinda P Liyanage Galle central special correspondent

The fish consumers in the country so far have been humiliated before the fish black marketers who charge exorbitant prices for fish when the former was unable to buy fish for the quoted prices, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Rajitha Senaratne said. He said his aim as the Minister responsible for fisheries is to provide maximum opportunities to common man to buy fish with dignity at an affordable price without being reproached for bargaining for lower prices with dishonest fish vendors. He said at the same time he will look after interests of the fishermen too. The Minister was addressing a gathering following the ceremonial opening of the 73rd fish stall of the Fishery Harbour Corporation at Karapitiya, Galle.

He said, “I will make all endeavours to raise the traditional fisherman’s status. The present day conventional fisherman will be transformed into modern fish technician using the latest sophisticated fishing gear. Already all rules and statutory regulations have been formulated by the Ministry to launch a new insurance scheme for fishermen which would be implemented soon. Soon every fisherman would be insured for a sum of Rs 100,000 to 300,000 and a pension would be ensured to all fishermen who reach 60 years, the Minister also said.

Senaratne said, alleging or criticizing the fish business mafia for creating artificial high prices of fish will do nothing beneficial for the fish consumer. Fisheries Corporation should engage in the industry competitively with the private entrepreneur in the fish business. We need colossal amounts of money to revitalize the Corporation. Yet we are confident we would have the ways to get the required funds. We have won the Government’s faith by achieving the expected target successfully. The Treasury has already consented to release the needed funds. Utilizing the funds we plan to buy 400 latest fully modernized fishing trawlers to boost the fish production.

”A team of experts from UK will arrive in the country to evaluate our fish industry after which they will issue a guarantee certificate. On receipt of the certificate Sri Lanka would be the main fish supplier to the UK.

”The first canned fish factory will be started in Galle in March this year. We hope to conquer the canned fish market too, the Minister said. We have to work hard to achieve President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s hope of making Sri Lanka the Miracle of Asia. King Dutugemunu could achieve his target of liberating the country and usher prosperity due to the sacrificial and dedicated services of the ten great giants. Following the same foot-steps of ancient heroes we also should strengthen the hands of President by working diligently with devotion thereby fulfilling the aspirations of the Mahinda Chintana Forward Vision.

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkodi and Galle District Parliamentarians Dr Ramesh Pathirane and Mohan P de Silva also spoke.