Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar

Hon. Chandrasekar responded to a fellow member's remarks on the beach seine fishing industry, disputing claims that the industry had collapsed and clarifying that only mechanised equipment (winches and tractors) had been halted. He criticised the previous administration for approving beach seine operations without adequate environmental assessments or NARA (National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency) reports, noting that net lengths had far exceeded the permitted 1.5-kilometre limit, reaching up to 10 kilometres, causing significant harm to over 5,000 small-scale fishermen and the marine environment. He stated that the government had consulted with affected parties six months prior and is currently in discussions, with Presidential involvement, to identify alternative methods such as the SND system or to establish regulated procedures for continuing traditional fishing practices.

Minister Chandrasekar ruled the supplementary question out of order, stating it was unrelated to the original Question on the Order Paper. He directed the member to raise the matter of madal fishing through an Adjournment Motion or a separate Question if they wished to pursue it.

The Minister of Fisheries clarified that the government has not banned traditional madal fishing itself, but has sought to prohibit the use of winches and tractors in the practice due to environmental harm identified by NARA and other environmental reports. He noted that madal operators were given six months' notice to cease these practices, and that following subsequent protests, the President held discussions leading to an understanding to explore alternatives that would allow the fishery to continue without environmental damage. The Minister stated that consultations with stakeholders and experts are ongoing, and that necessary action will be taken within two months based on their findings. He directed Members wishing to discuss madal fishing in detail to raise the matter through an Adjournment Motion or separate Question.

Minister Chandrasekar responded to a supplementary question on kerosene supply for fishing vessels, noting that the question had shifted from its original topic of insurance. He stated that upon assuming office, his government reinstated the kerosene subsidy, which had lapsed, enabling beached small boats to return to service for a period of six months. Regarding ongoing fuel-related difficulties linked to the current war situation, he expressed confidence that conditions would improve within one to two weeks and committed to taking appropriate measures if fishermen continued to be adversely affected thereafter.

## Summary Minister of Fisheries Ramalingam Chandrasekar provided a detailed ministerial response on the status and welfare of Sri Lanka's fishing industry. He stated that the sector employs approximately 320,470 active fishers across marine and inland fisheries, drawn from over 272,000 fishing households. The Minister outlined two existing individual insurance schemes for fishermen — one through the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation and one through the Samurdhi and Social Security Board ("Sayura" scheme) — covering accidental death, disability, hospitalisation, and related contingencies. He also announced the launch of a new contributory Fishermen's Pension and Social Protection Scheme on 21 November 2025 (World Fisheries Day), which provides a lifetime monthly pension from age 60, lump-sum disability and death benefits, and noted that legal amendments are underway to extend survivor's benefits to spouses.

Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar, tabled the 2024 Annual Report of the National Aquaculture Development Authority of Sri Lanka and moved that it be referred to the relevant Sectoral Oversight Committee for consideration.

Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar addressed the government's ban on winch machines and detectors used by shore seine fishers, explaining that a six-month warning period had been given prior to the ban's imposition to allow fishers to seek alternatives. He noted that a court case has been filed against the ban and that shore seine fishers had met with the President and conducted protests. Chandrasekar announced that a two-month study has been initiated, involving fisher association representatives and technical experts, to assess the environmental and coastal impacts of the prohibited equipment, including effects on crabs, turtles, and turtle eggs. He indicated that a permanent solution would be presented to the President following the study, while requesting fishers to continue traditional hand-hauling methods in the interim.

Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar responded to a supplementary question regarding fishers affected by a recent, unspecified disaster, acknowledging impacts on their families, nets, and boats. He indicated the Government has already taken some action and requested the member provide relevant documents to assess whether immediate funding allocation or future measures would be appropriate. He expressed willingness to take further steps if necessary.

## Summary The Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources provided a detailed written answer regarding the status of fishery buildings constructed or renovated in the Pottuvil Fisheries Division following the 2004 tsunami. The response catalogued buildings distributed to various entities — including fisheries organisations, cooperative societies, and federations — noting that several are currently non-operational, with two buildings reportedly leased to individuals without payment of rent, and a cold room transferred to the Sri Lanka Army by the Pottuvil Divisional Secretary in 2016. The Minister indicated that documents have been submitted to the Divisional Secretary to bring unused buildings under the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources for reactivation. For buildings outside the Ministry's direct purview, the Minister proposed addressing the matter through Divisional and District Coordinating Committee discussions, with potential solutions including provision of alternative lands and vesting for public use.

## Summary Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar, speaking as Chair of the Jaffna District Development Committee, argued that the current government has made significant progress in national reconciliation and economic recovery, citing the country's rebound from the 2022 bankruptcy declaration and resilience following Cyclone Dicha. He contended that longstanding ethnic divisions among Tamil, Sinhala, and Muslim communities have been overcome, and that marginalized groups—including Hill Country Tamils, war-affected persons, and widows—are now being addressed by the government for the first time. The Minister warned against what he described as attempts by certain politicians to reignite ethnic and religious divisions, specifically referencing some Tamil politicians, and asserted that neither the government nor the public would permit a return to divisive politics.