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| Monday, 21 February 2005 |
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| Fuel subsidy for fishermen to begin this week by Uditha Kumarasinghe The Government has decided to grant a start-up fuel subsidy to fishermen for their fishing craft as an immediate relief measure to recommence fishing which was severely affected by tsunami disaster. As the Cabinet has already given its approval for this fuel subsidy, the Fisheries Ministry is exploring the possibility of granting it from this week. According to the Ministry's formula, a subsidy of Rs. 20,000-25,000 will be given to a multi-day boat for its first trip, Rs. 7,500 for a day boat and Rs. 5,000 for an outboard power boat, Fisheries and Ocean Resources Deputy Minister Nihal Galappathithi told the Daily News yesterday. The Ministry has also requested the Government to grant Rs.100 million to the Fisheries Corporation to purchase fish from fishermen and provide fish to consumers at concessionary rates. According to the Deputy Minister, the country's fishing industry which was hit by the tsunami catastrophe is now 90 per cent revived. All 10 destroyed fisheries harbours have recommenced operations. He said the Ministry has already formulated a national program to rebuild the fisheries harbours and provide immediate assistance to fishermen to re-launch their vocation. Priority has been given to provide fuel, electricity, ice and water facilities for fishermen. At present, the provision of nearly 90 per cent of these essential requirements for fishermen has been completed. The Ministry with the assistance provided by foreign donors and private sector donors has been able to recommence operations of all 10 fisheries harbours destroyed by the tsunami. Japan has pledged to rebuild Tangalle and Kirinda fishery harbours while the Netherlands has undertaken to rebuild the Mirissa fishery harbour. China has pledged to rebuild other seven fisheries harbours at Panadura, Beruwala, Hikkaduwa, Galle, Devundara, Kudawella and Trincomalee. In addition, India has pledged to rebuild 20 fisheries anchors damaged by tsunami," he said. "Due to these key initiatives taken by the Government, there is the possibility of reviving the fishing industry activities with a new facelift and a more productive manner," the Deputy Minister said. He said the Ministry has already conducted a survey at each Fisheries Inspector Division (FID) to obtain details on multi-day boats, day boats and outboard power boats completely or partly damaged by tsunami tidal waves. The Ministry will issue an ownership permit to each damaged fishing craft for repairs. The Ministry in collaboration with other Non-Governmental organisations has already commenced repairing a large number of damaged fishing boats in each fisheries harbour and fisheries anchors. The Ministry has decided to grant a 50 per cent subsidy for the total damage caused to a multi-day boat while the Ministry will give new boats to all fishermen whose small boats have been destroyed. In order to provide immediate shelter to fishermen whose houses were destroyed by tsunami, the Ministry will construct 30,000 permanent houses and 10,000 temporary houses in coastal areas. The construction of permanent houses has already commenced in Kalutara, Galle and Matara districts while temporary houses are being constructed in Hambantota, Galle, Matara, Ampara and Batticaloa districts, he said. |
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