(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) – The State Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Dilip Wedaarachchi said measures will be taken to make it compulsory for all vessels used for fishing in the sea to be properly covered by insurance and uninsured vessels will not be allowed to engage in fishing.
The Minister said he has advised the Fisheries Department not to grant any kind of fishing license to any fishing vessel without such insurance cover.
The Minister made this observation at a discussion held with the fishermen at the Gurupokuna Fisheries Society Community Center in Ambalantota recently.
At the meeting, the fishermen pointed out that serious problems have arisen in obtaining insurance compensation for the damaged fishing vessels.
It was revealed to the Minister during the discussion that such problems have arisen due to lack of proper insurance coverage. As a result, the fishermen, the trawler owners and the families of the fishermen face difficulties, the fisher community explained.
The fishermen pointed out that there is no insurance coverage for boats that are partially damaged by accidents on land as well as in sea.
Considering the plight of the fisher community due to lack of insurance coverage for partially damaged vessels, the State Minister has instructed the Fisheries Department to take immediate steps to provide insurance cover for partial damages, in addition to the total damages.
Fisheries Department Director Nihal Palitha, Assistant Fisheries Director, Hambantota Managing Officers, Fisheries Harbor Corporation Operations Director General, Fisheries Harbor Project and Fisheries Society officials and fishermen were present at the discussion.
