June 13, Colombo: A special discussion was held Saturday (12) at the Negombo Town Hall under the patronage of Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda to resolve the problems of the fishing community affected by the MV X-Press Pearl fire and to inform them about the decisions taken by the government in this regard.

Kanchana Wijesekera, State Minister of Ornamental Fish, Inland Fish & Prawn Farming, Fishery Harbor Development, Multi day Fishing Activities and Fish Exports and Nimal Lanza State Minister of Rural Roads and Other Infrastructure also participated in the discussion.

Representatives of Fisheries Associations from Palliyawatta, Wattala to Porathota, Negombo and representatives of Negombo Lagoon Fisheries Associations also participated in the meeting.

The fishing community was told that there is no problem in fishing in areas other than the restricted area and the restricted areas will be released in part by part in the future.

It was also revealed that there is no hindrance to the fishing activities in the Negombo Lagoon from today

The National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) and the Atomic Energy Authority have confirmed that no oil or chemical has been leaked from the ship.

The area is currently designated as a no-go zone, as the debris from the ship could cause damage to fishermen, fishing vessels and equipment.

Coastal and ocean clean-up operations are being carried out to ensure that there is no problem for fishing. It was also revealed that measures will be taken to clean the Negombo Lagoon and the Hamilton Canal.

Expressing his views, Minister of Fisheries Douglas Devananda said the President and the Prime Minister have instructed to take all necessary measures to uplift the fishing community affected by the fire-ravaged cargo ship.

Compensation will be paid in the future for the damage caused to the fishing community due to their inability to return to their fishing activities. Until then, the relevant District Secretaries have been instructed to pay the allowance of Rs. 5,000 as a living allowance from today. Also, a decision to set a fixed price for fishing gear and equipment will be taken in consultation with the relevant businessmen after the Covid epidemic is over.

Addressing the gathering, State Minister Kanchana Wijesekera People should not be unduly apprehensive about eating fish as it has not yet been scientifically proven to be unsuitable for consumption.

He said the Ministry of Justice and the Attorney General’s Department will seek compensation for the damage caused by the ship.

“If there is a problem selling the fish, the Fisheries Corporation will directly intervene to buy them. The Peliyagoda fish market as well as 22 fishing harbors have been prepared for this purpose. As of yesterday, nearly 2,000 kilograms of fish had been purchased from the Peliyagoda fish market and nearly 9,000 kilograms from other places. Retail sales will not be allowed due to existing travel restrictions but wholesale and mobile sales are not banned.”

State Minister Wijesekera said nearly 23 sectors associated with the fishing industry have been affected by the shipwreck so far. The losses of income in those sectors have been calculated and presented as a preliminary stage for the compensation program. The Government will take all necessary steps to provide relief to the fishing community, he assured.

State Minister Nimal Lanza said the discussion on the problems faced by the fishing community due to the X-Press Pearl was successful.

“Many problems of the fishing community were solved. Although fish consumption is done by people near the coast, people in the middle of the country have reduced their consumption of fish. The Ministry of Fisheries has given a clear answer that eating fish is not a problem at present. Therefore, people should not have an undue fear of eating fish,” he said.

“We will take necessary decisions in the future in consultation with the President and the Prime Minister to provide relief to the fishing community by resolving the problems faced by the fishing community due to the increase in diesel and kerosene prices since midnight yesterday,” Lanza said.

“We stand for the provision of relief to the fishing community in Negombo and other areas. Damage from ships, natural disasters and floods, as well as the impact of rising world oil prices, pose a major problem for those who contribute to the country's production and economic processes. Therefore, I request the Ministry of Fisheries to formulate a methodology in consultation with the President and the Prime Minister. Assistance will be provided to take necessary action for that.”

Mayor of Negombo Dayan Lanza, Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries Indu Fernando, Director General of the Fisheries Department Susantha Kahawatta, Divisional Secretary of Negombo and others were also present at the occasion.