2026-03-03 / Oral Question: Fishing Industry and Insurance (Q.744/2025) 2026-03-03
## 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.
Hon. Speaker, the answer is as follows:
(a)
(i) The fishing industry may be categorized into three main sectors: marine fisheries, inland fisheries and aquaculture. As a livelihood, a large number of people are engaged directly and indirectly—from fishermen operating at sea and in inland waters to boat builders, distributors, importers/exporters, and wholesale/retail sellers of fish products.
According to statistical data published by this Ministry in 2024, the number of active fishers is approximately 320,470, comprising 225,480 marine fishers from 188,940 marine fishing households, and 94,990 inland fishers from 83,960 inland fishing households.
(ii) Yes. Considering the hazardous and challenging nature of the industry, the Ministry has given priority to an individual insurance scheme for fishermen. Accordingly, two individual insurance schemes for fishermen are in operation—one through the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation, and one through the Samurdhi and Social Security Board.
Fishermen’s Safety Insurance (Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation) has been in operation since 2022; 10,869 fishermen paid premiums under this scheme in 2025.
The “Sayura” Fishermen’s Individual Insurance (Samurdhi and Social Security Board) provides graded benefits: for a premium of Rs. 1,915, cover up to Rs. 1,000,000; for Rs. 2,605, cover up to Rs. 1,500,000; and for Rs. 3,165, cover up to Rs. 2,000,000 for accidental death (fisherman) and permanent disability arising during fishing operations. The scheme also includes benefits for permanent partial disability, natural death, missing at sea, hospitalization, air-ticket insurance, and education expenses for school-going children.
(iii) A new Fishermen’s Pension and Social Protection Scheme—a contributory pension—has been launched jointly by the Ministry, the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the National Aquaculture Development Authority of Sri Lanka (NAQDA), and the Samurdhi and Social Security Board. It was launched on 21 November 2025 (World Fisheries Day). Fishermen may enroll through the District Offices of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, NAQDA District Offices, and the Samurdhi and Social Security Board.
A monthly pension is payable for life from the retirement age (on completion of 60 years), with the benefit increasing with age through appropriate actuarial adjustments. A lump sum is payable in the event of permanent total/partial disability or death. Necessary legal amendments are being made to extend survivor’s benefits to spouses.
(b) Not applicable.