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Fishermen losing livelihoods over fuel crisis

07 Jun 2022

  •  Fisher folk unable even to buy rice
    BY Dinitha Rathnayake  Fishermen are losing their livelihoods due to the fuel crisis, noted former National Fisheries Federation Vice President Indranath Ranawaka. Speaking at a recent press conference, he said that they have been badly affected by the fuel shortage in the country, and that due to them not being able to engage in fishing, they have difficulties in purchasing essentials such as rice as well. “The new manufacturing economy describes the role of advanced manufacturing in the rise of the new economy. Fisheries products play a major part in the new manufacturing economy. For this, we need to get rid of this fuel problem very soon. Every port has a fuel station and the Government could provide diesel for fishermen considering it as a priority service. “Secondly, Sri Lanka received a multi-day fishing vessel monitoring system that contributes to ensuring maritime security, under a financial grant from Australia, and we urge the Government to release the system,” he said. Meanwhile, the Multi- and One-Day Trawler Owners’ Association former Chairman K.L.B. Leitan said that the shrimp industry holds a special place among the stakeholders who generate national wealth and is a good source of receiving foreign exchange. “We urge the Government to resume this business so that the fishing community would be able to be involved in bringing foreign exchange,” he said. Many fishermen say they are forced to give up on their livelihoods due to the crisis and therefore have sought fuel subsidies from the Government to help them out of this situation. Small-scale fishermen say that they have been badly affected by the shortage of kerosene.  


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