Attending the event to conduct medical tests, first aid, and issuing medical reports to Fishermen held at Wellamankara on 26-01-2024, the Minister of Fisheries Douglas Devananda stated that the President has promised him to solve all the issues faced by the fishing community such as fuel issue, import of Fish and the price hike of Fishing appliances, as soon as possible.
Expressing views at the event the Minister stated that this measure is a great service provided to the Fishing Community this year and the main issue faced by the Fishermen who engaged in deep sea fishing in the past was how to provide treatment to Fishermen who become ill suddenly. Most of the Fishermen who became ill in the sea died in their vessels and certain fishermen who fell ill suddenly in the sea were to be taken to nearby countries, where they were fishing. On certain occasions, the Navy was involved in bringing them ashore, and a large amount of money was spent on this task. As the only solution to this issue, this welfare programme is implemented and the assistance of 24 hospitals island-wide representing the fisherfolk to carry out this programme could be received very successfully in the future.
The Minister also said that the government and the President have planned to solve the current issues faced by the Fisherfolk and expressed thanks to the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Health, and Sri Lanka Navy for preparing this programme and to the Heads and the Officials of the institutions that worked to commence this programme promptly.
The Minister added that the Minister of Health Hon. Ramesh Pathirana was due to attend this event, but he couldn’t attend due to an unavoidable circumstance. He has promised to provide his and his Ministry’s assistance for this programme. The Minister expressed his condolence on the demise of Mr. Sanath Nishantha who was the Deputy Minister of Fisheries, from this area.
Expressing views at the event State Minister of Fisheries Hon. Piyal Nishantha stated that with the collapse of the global economy, the Fishermen have to undergo a very difficult situation and this special programme is extremely important, and this programme is implemented in 24 hospitals throughout the island. The State Minister added that this programme is very important for the Fishermen who engage in fishing by Multi-day vessels and he hopes to donate first-aid sets to the fishermen since it is very useful to them.
At this event, First Aid Training certificates were issued to those who have completed first aid training and the medical reports were issued to those who have undergone medical tests.
Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries Miss. Nayana Kumari Somarathne, Director General of Fisheries Department Mr. Susantha Kahawaththa, Director of Non-Communicable Diseases Unit of the Ministry of Health Dr. Mrs. Champika, Dr. Dinesh Ariyadeva of the Medical Force of Sri Lanka Navy, Managing Director of Fisheries Harbour Corporation Mr. Sathyananthan and the former provincial councillor of North-Western Provincial Council Mr. Ervin Fernando attended this event.