Cheques worth rupees 160.5 crores are issued as the 4th round of compensation to the fishermen who were affected due to the sinking of X-Press Pearl Ship, at a function held on the 11th of May, 2023, at the Ministry of Fisheries under the auspices of the Minister of Fisheries Douglas Devananda with the participation of the State Minister of Fisheries Piyal Nishantha De Silva.
As the result of the efforts taken by the Ministry of Fisheries, compensation is granted for the 15000 fishermen and nearly 5000 individuals who lost their livelihood due to the banning of fishing, as the result of the sinking of X -Press Pearl Vessel. As a token, cheques for 30 selected fishermen and some others who engage in jobs related to the fishing industry, are issued today. The rest of the fishermen who are entitled to compensation will receive their compensation from their respective District Secretariats.
At this event, compensation from the Insurance company of the Vessel, was granted to 20 fishermen whose fishing nets and gears were damaged due to the various materials from X Press Pearl Vessel collected in the Marine Environment.
So far, 3068 Million rupees ( More than 300 crores ) have been received from the Insurance Company of the Vessel, in order to grant compensation for the fishing sector, while in the first three rounds, 1463 Million rupees (146 Crores ) have been already distributed to families which lost their livelihood.
Sri Lankan government has received 1605 Million rupees ( 160.5 Crores ) from the Insurance Company of the Vessel, in order to pay compensation for the 4th round. By the end of 4th round, according to their job category, a fisherman who lost his livelihood will have received compensation from 112,500 rupees to 295,000 rupees.
The fishermen who engage in fishing activities around Negombo Lagoon where the fishing ban was effective for 22 days too have received a minimum 45,000 rupees.
Individuals who engage in fishing-related jobs indirectly such as Fish mongers, Dried fish producers, dealers of fishing nets, gears, appliances, and boat repairing mechanics too have received compensation from 22,500 rupees to 336,000 rupees for their loss, as per their job category.
The Committee appointed to look into the direct losses caused to fishermen due to the sinking of X- Press vessel, by the Ministry of Fisheries, has already submitted its reports and 6 requests for compensation to the Insurance Company of the Vessel. The first report was submitted two weeks after the incident and the 6th report was submitted in July, 2022.
The Presentation of the final report prepared by the Chairman of the Committee and the Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries Mr. Dhammika Ranathunga and the Director General of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Mr. Susantha Kahawaththa, was held during this event.
Expressing views at the function State Minister Piyal Nishantha De Silva stated that immediately after this incident Cabinet Minister Douglas Devananda had called all the relevant officials and instructed to take necessary measures immediately. The state minister added that the Ministry and the relevant institutions would take measures properly and expeditiously to grant relief to the fishing community. The Minister said,” During disasters in the country, the opposition is always trying to achieve their narrow political target. By doing like this when can we rebuild our country ? As traditional opposition party they try to implement their political agenda, rather than supporting the government to provide relief to the people. The opposition would have supported the Ministry to expedite the process to grant relief. But they didn’t do it. Leader of the opposition made a false statement at the parliament yesterday.”
The state minister especially thanked Minister Douglas Devananda and all the officials who had rendered their contribution to this endaevour.
Expressing views at the function Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda stated that soon after the X-Press Pearl incident his ministry acted promptly to safe guard the fishermen and he would take measures to obtain compensation and to distribute them among the affected fishermen in a reasonable manner. The Minister added that his ministry is carrying out a great task to bring the fishermen back to their job. But throughout the past various political groups are acting for narrow political objectives and criticize the government and aim to sabotage the activities of the government. But our fishermen didn’t fall into their trap. The Minister further stated that he is happy to see that the affected fishermen are obtaining their compensation and engaging in their fishing activities again. The Minister stated that it is his duty to thank His Excellency the president, former state Minister Fisheries Kanchana Wijesekara, Ministers Wijedasa Rajapaksha and Ali Shabri for their cooperation, when he took initiative to obtain compensation, and he would take measures to obtain the maximum compensation in the future as well, disregarding the criticism of the opposition.
A group of Officials including the Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries Mrs. Indu Rathnayake, Director General of Fisheries Department Mr. Susantha Kahawaththa , Director General of Fisheries Department (Technical) Mr. Namal Thalangama and the District Secretaries of Colombo, Gampaha, and Kalutara and the Secretaries of Fishermen’s Associations of these Districts, attended this event.
