Daily NEWS Srilanka

The President advises the Fisheries Minister to chalk out a strategy to ensure a guaranteed price for fish.

President Rajapaksa issued this instruction joining in a special discussion held at Temple Trees to discuss issues related to fisheries. The President said that many of the problems encountered by the fisheries community could be addressed by ensuring a guaranteed price for fish.

The President intimated to Minister Rajitha Senaratne that a decision could be arrived in this respect through a combined discussion by the Fisheries Ministry and the Treasury along with the fishermen.

Expressing his views at the meeting the Minister said that explosions were carried in the sea bed by certain fishermen and this should be immediately prevented. Taking cognizance of this matter, the President telephoned the Inspector General of Police and gave him instructions to round up those who are engaged in illegal fishing methods and enforce the law to the letter. Discussions also centred on the progress achieved in the fisheries sector.

Sri Lanka has surpassed Thailand and Vietnam in the sea and inland fisheries sectors. An increase in the fisheries resources was not witnessed within the last 10 years as a result of climatic changes. But Minister Rajitha Senaratne pointed out that it was possible to harvest the fisheries resources due to the initiative followed by the Fisheries Ministry.

It was revealed that the country’s income so far from the Aquatic Industry exceeded 10 Billion Rupees. A group comprising Parliamentarians and Government officials was present at this meeting.