Special banking system for fishermen

Ridma Dissanayake

The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry has planned to introduce a special banking system for fishermen, said Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne.

Measures have also been taken to introduce a pension and an insurance scheme for the fishermen.

More steps will be taken to uplift livelihoods of the fishery community through District Fisheries Associations. Currently, 23 districts have National Fisheries Association branches. There are 1,087 fishery associations at village level which have been established through district fisheries associations. At present, over 76,500 fishermen and fishery technicians have membership in these associations, the minister added.

The fish production had increased in large scale during the last two years. At present, it is the third most important industry in Sri Lanka, the minister said.