Govt to provide relief to fishing community

Disna Mudalige

The Cabinet of Ministers decided to provide relief measures to the fishing community affected by the June 8 inclement weather, Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.

Addressing the Cabinet press briefing at the ministry auditorium yesterday, the minister said the Cabinet after considering the damages caused to life and property of the fishing community in the affected areas, decided to pay Rs 100,000 to the next of kin of each deceased or disappeared fisherman and to procure and supply fishing craft and equipment in lieu of those fully damaged and not having insurance cover.

It was also decided to grant a relief payment of 50 percent of the cost incurred to repair partially damaged fishing craft and equipment.

The Cabinet paper was presented by Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Rajitha Senaratne.