Insurance, must for fishermen from next year - Rajitha

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

The government will make it mandatory for fishermen to have an insurance to obtain a licence to fish at sea from next year, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne said.

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne hands over a donation to a fisherman’s wife.

"Several fishermen were lost in storms that lashed parts of the South last year, but family members of these victims could not claim insurance," the minister said.

He said although an insurance scheme is available for fishermen, very few have made use of it.

"The government will make it mandatory from next January for fishermen to obtain insurance," the minister said at a ceremony to distribute funds at the Weligama Divisional Secretariat Office recently. Minister Senaratne distributed financial donations among 25 fisheries families who lost their bread winners in a storm in Weligama.

The minister said a top level Indian delegation will arrive in Sri Lanka next month for talks on issues between Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen. Senaratne said during the Indian delegation's visit, allegations of Indian fishermen being attacked or harassed when they illegally enter Sri Lankan waters will also be discussed.

Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Fisheries Department Director General Nimal Hettiarachchi, Weligama Municipal Council chairman Hassan Mohomad and Pradeshiya Sabha chairman Pushpakumara Battage also participated.