PARLIAMENT

Fish protein, best remedy for malnutrition in children

Sandasen Marasinghe and Irangika Range

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody presided when Parliament met at 1 pm yesterday.

After presentation of papers and oral questions, the House took up several regulations under the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act No 2 of 1996 for debate. Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne: A massive progress has been reported in both marine and fresh water fish production during the last five years. Marine fish production increased to 440,000 metric tons in 2011 compared to the previous year.

We have taken measures to develop fish production to eliminate malnutrition among children. Fish protein is the best remedy for malnutrition. It is reported the malnutrition rate has dropped to 12 percent with the increase of fish production. Fish production in the North and East has increased with the end of the conflict. It is reported over 41 percent of total sea water fish production comes from the North and East, amounting to 75,000 metric tons of fish. The Ceylon Fisheries Corporation purchased 10 percent of the catch to provide fish at concessionary rates to the people. The Corporation has earned Rs. 65 million by selling fish within the first four months of the year.

To provide fresh fish to consumers, 14 new fish stalls have been opened. During the last four months we were able to export 10,000 metric tons of fish and earn US$ 9,000 million from fish exports.

A new canned fish manufacturing factory has been opened recently, producing nearly 105,000 metric tons of canned fish daily.

We sell the canned fish at concessionary rates to consumers islandwide through Sathosa outlets.

Two new fishing harbours have been opened and many ice producing factories established to facilitate farmers.

Joseph Michael Perera (UNP): Today fishermen face severe hardships. They must be provided with a fuel subsidy to sustain their livelihood. Several strict laws have been implemented as regards fishing in the North and East. The Minister should look into these and lift these regulations to create a conducive environment for the fishermen. It is also necessary to implement a pension scheme for fishermen to ensure their job security.

Deputy Chairman of Committees Murugesu Chandrakumar (UPFA): Fisheries Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne has taken steps to promote the fishing industry in the North and East. Strict laws had been implemented for the fishing industry during the war.

New these laws have been lifted for the convenience of the fishermen. Fish production in the North and East has increased. If the fishermen’s problems are solved we can expect an increase in fish productivity.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake (DNA): The government should take measures to arrest the culprits responsible for killing two people in Katuwana area. Katuwana is a renowned area for fresh water fishing. How could the fishermen engage in their livelihoods, if there is no freedom and security prevailing in the area? If there is no democracy in the country, can any industry be developed? What action has the government taken to stop killings which have worsened today?

Arundika Fernando (UPFA): These regulations are a timely move and relevant to the fishermen. DNA MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake has completely misled the House. He did not mention anything related to the topic which we took up for debate today.

If he wishes to speak on behalf of the two people killed in Katuwana, he should ask for a separate debate for the issue.

Fish productivity has gradually increased with high priority being given by the government during the past five years.

Sajith Premadasa (UNP): It is necessary to introduce the latest technology for fishermen to increase their productivity. The government should provide subsidy to fishermen to purchase fishing equipment. The fishing village programme should be restored by the Ministry for the benefit of the fishermen.

Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Minister Chandrasiri Gajadeera: It is a good move to commence research with regard to pawn farming possibilities across the country. Watching whales have become popular among the people today.

A number of people arrive in Mirissa to watch whales. But it is necessary to implement whale watching according to a proper mechanism. Otherwise it would be a disturbance of the natural habits of whales.

Dulip Wijesekera (UNP): The Nilwella area project launched by the Fisheries Ministry is good. It is useful for small scale fishermen. It should be implemented in all other fishing harbours in the country.

Child Development and Women’s Affairs Deputy Minister M.L.A.M. Hisbulla: Walachchena fisheries harbour has been rehabilitated spending Rs 300 million and handed over to fishermen in the East. The marine fish production in the East has increased. We can assure the East would provide large stocks of fish to the local market.

Mohan Priyadarshana Silva (UPFA): Under the Mahinda Chinthana programme, a number of reliefs have been given to fishermen. Around 23,000 deep sea fishermen have been given the fuel subsidy so far. Around 3,000 fresh water fishermen too have been provided with fuel subsidy.

Niroshan Perera (UNP): We can use the fishing industry to eliminate malnutrition and anemia from the country. But the import of fish is increasing gradually. A large sum of money is flowing out of the country to import fish so that we have to reduce the import of fish.

Sarath Weerasekera (UPFA): I am happy about those orders. Though Jayalalitha shed crocodile tears their fishermen robbed the fish crop and other resources in the seas of our people. I know it as I worked in the Sri Lanka Navy. We have to protect these resources. We have a historic background for the fresh water fish industry.

Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan (Resettlement Deputy Minister): We have to thank the government as now the fisheries industry is rapidly developing in the East. We have to thank Rajitha Senaratne as well since he visits the area and provides all facilities to develop the fresh water fish industry. He has granted a free of charge nursery worth millions of rupees.

A large amount of boats and nets have been granted to the people. The government grants a kerosene oil subsidy of Rs 20 million a month. There are around nine reservoirs and 360 tanks in the Eastern Province and the fresh water fish industry is developing so that the fresh water fish crop has increased from 10,000 metric tons to 30,000 metric tons at present.

VK Indika (UPFA): We have to introduce the grass carp to the tanks. We also have to ban catching them. As they are very useful to remove the grass grown in tanks as the grass reduce the growth of other fishes in tanks.

Victor Anthony (UPFA): These regulations introduced to the big reservoirs are important. These regulations should be introduced to the small reservoirs and tanks as well.

Palitha Range Bandara (UNP): When such projects are introduced, imports are handed over to a particular institute and a commission given to them without any transparency. The fishermen are leading lives with great difficulties.

Uvais Farook (UPFA): The members of the forces should be made aware of the regulations of keeping the conch shells in possession by the fishermen who have the documents issued by the Ministry to do so.

J Sri Ranga (UNP): The issuance of passes to fishermen in Mullaitivu is not practical. Initially they were issued to prevent them going to the Indian territorial waters. But this mechanism hinders the fishermen’s trade.

Felix Perera (Social Services Minister): The equipment ‘the transponder’ is only one equipment to regularize the industry. We have to introduce a Fisheries Management System.

Milroy Fernando (Social Welfare Minister): The UNP spoke of the fresh water fish industry. But if the UPFA did not come into power in 1994 the fresh water industry would not have remained in the country. Today, fishermen do not speak of the fuel price in the country as they are given a kerosene subsidy by the government. The ornamental fish industry, is one that can be developed massively.

The regulations were passed without amendments.

At adjournment

Child Protection and Women’s Affairs Minister Tissa Karaliyadda said in Parliament the government already has taken measures to develop Daham school education and it was the responsibility of parents too to uplift the moral values of the children.

He made this observation in response to an adjournment motion moved by UPFA Shantha Bandara suggesting that Daham school education should be made compulsory.

Child Protection and Women’s Affairs Minister Tissa Karaliyadda: The children today attend Daham schools. But parents should have the necessity to uplift the moral values of children. The government has already taken measures to grant facilities to develop Daham school education.

UPFA member AHM Azwar presided. Parliamentarian Ven Ellawala Medananda Thera (UPFA), Palitha Range Bandara (UNP), Unais Farook (UPFA), Akila Viraj Kariyawasam (UNP) and Uvais Mohammed also spoke.

The House adjourned until 1 pm today.