Sri Lanka’s fishing community has urgently appealed to the government for financial assistance as they struggle with the ongoing economic crisis and a lack of state aid.
Leaders of the fishing boat owners’ association expressed frustration, highlighting that more than 2,000 boats remain grounded because fishermen can no longer afford the skyrocketing costs of fuel and other essential materials. Despite this, they feel the government is overlooking their dire situation.
Tyrone Priyantha Mendis, chairman of the All-Island Multi-Day Boat Owners’ Association (SLAIMDBOA), stated, “The government has not provided any relief to boat owners who can’t send their boats out to sea. Paying bank installments has become nearly impossible, as each boat’s round trip now takes about a month and a half.”
Mendis made these remarks during a press conference at the Wennappuwa Fisheries Harbor in the North Western Province on February 20. His statement came after Sri Lanka’s newly elected leftist President, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, revealed the national budget on February 17, which aims to address the country’s economic crisis.
Mendis further explained that there are approximately 6,000 fishing boats in the country, contributing millions of dollars annually to the economy. However, he accused the current government of neglecting the sector, much like previous administrations.
“We generate around $300 million each year, down from $320 million in 2019. This has steadily declined due to the ongoing crisis,” he said. “With fuel prices rising two to three times and fish prices remaining stagnant, we are unable to make a living.”
If the situation remains unchanged, Mendis warned, the entire fishing sector could soon be limited to port operations. The association has called on the government to prioritize the protection of the industry.
Sri Lanka’s fisheries sector employs 250,000 fishermen and another 100,000 people in support roles.
Prabath Sunil, a Catholic multi-day fishing boat owner from Negombo, emphasized the need for subsidies on fuel and other fishing materials. “With costs rising and earnings shrinking, a fish shortage is inevitable, even though fish is a staple in people’s daily diets,” Sunil told UCA News on February 21.
The fisheries industry generates foreign income through seafood exports, including fish, shrimp, lobsters, and shark fins. In 2024, Sri Lanka exported 17,890.7 metric tons of fish products valued at 72.64 billion rupees.
Ruwan Fernando, Secretary of SLAIMDBOA, voiced his deep frustration, pointing to soaring production costs and the unsustainable nature of their operations. Many boat owners have taken out loans and mortgages, yet their pleas for assistance have gone unanswered.
“We have raised this issue repeatedly with both the previous and current governments, hoping for change, but the budget has completely ignored our industry, pushing us to the brink,” Fernando said.
-With inputs from UCA News
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