PARLIAMENT

The Minister of Fisheries Hon. Douglas Devananda, said today (21) in Parliament that steps have been taken to obtain the necessary fuel for the fishing industry with immediate effect and thus arrangements have been made to provide fuel to the fishermen on a daily basis.

The Minister informed this at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Fisheries held today (21) under the chairmanship of Minister Hon. Douglas Devananda.

Furthermore, by the end of this year, with the aim of improving fresh water fishing industry, the Minister indicated that it is expected to expedite the breeding of fish fry in four thousand identified lakes and said that steps will be taken to establish more fisheries corporation outlets in different areas.

Additionally, State Minister of Fisheries Hon. Piyal Nishanth said that a special program to improve the education, health and welfare of the children of the fishing community will be started in conjunction with the World Children's Day on October 1st.

The Committee approved three regulations under the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act No. 2 of 1996.

According to the regulations published in Gazette Notification No. 2255/22 dated November 24th, 2021, there will be revisions in the fees charged for certain activities related to the fishing industry. Accordingly, Fees in respect of possession, sale, fees related to registration of establishments engaged in import and export and re-export of fishery related equipment, Fees in respect of the allocation of registration numbers for construction of new boats and registration of boat yards have been subjected to amendment.

Pursuant to the regulations published in Gazette Notification No. 2277/04 dated 25th April 2022, it is expected to protect blue swimming crabs.

Leader of the Opposition Hon. Sajith Premadasa, State Minister Hon. Sanath Nishantha, Members of Parliament Hon. Chandima Weerakkody, Hon. Charles Nirmalanathan, Hon. Weerasumana Weerasinghe, Hon. Sanjeeva Edirimanna, Hon. Chinthaka Amal, Hon. Hesha Withanage, Hon. (Major) Sudarshana Denipitiya, Hon. Rajika Wickramasinghe, officials representing the Ministry were present at this occasion.