Rs. 300,000 monthly diesel subsidy for fishing vessel owners :
Rs. 25 per liter of kerosene for vessel owners :
The government yesterday announced a decision to provide a fuel subsidy for fishermen in response to rising fuel prices and economic challenges faced by the fishing industry.
An allowance subject to the maximum of Rs.300,000 per month for fishing vessel owners who obtain diesel as fuel at Rs.25 per liter of diesel obtained by them as subsidy.
This will also provide an allowance of Rs.25 per liter of kerosene for vessel owners who obtain kerosene as a fuel, subject to a maximum of 15 liters of kerosene per day and 25 days per month limiting to the working days only.
Whenever price revisions are made for diesel and kerosene, the maximum concession price for diesel is Rs.250 and the concession price for kerosene is Rs.150, subject to the maximum six months period and this programme is maintained in such away the fishing communities receive the concession of 7.5 percent from the market value for diesel and concession of 12.5 percent from the market value for kerosene.
The decision, made during the Cabinet meeting held on Monday evening at the Presidential Secretariat, aims to support the livelihood of fishermen while ensuring the continuity of the country’s fishing operations, which are vital for the economy and food security.
The Cabinet Spokesman further stated that the subsidy would be structured to alleviate the financial burden on small and medium-scale fishermen who have been severely impacted by the fluctuating fuel costs. He emphasized that the government is committed to supporting the fishing community and ensuring that they can continue their operations without disruption.
The Minister further said that these concessions will be given subject to the approval of the Election Commission and the price may fluctuate according to the price formula.
Although, approval has been granted at the cabinet meeting held on August 21, 2024 to make remedial measures for the unfavorable effects occurred to the fishing industry as to the huge increase of the prices of the fuel, the said decision has not been implemented so far.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by President Anura Dissanayake in his capacity as the Agriculture, Land, Livestock, Irrigation, Fisheries and Water Resources Minister to provide these concessions for six months with effect from October 1, 2024 with the objective of uplifting the economic condition of the fisheries community.
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