Fuel price hike a fatal blow to fishing industry: Fisheries Federation

COLOMBO (News 1st); The All Ceylon Fisheries Federation states that the fishing community is facing increased issues due to the fuel price hike.

Ratna Gamage, the National Organizer of the All Ceylon Common Fisheries Federation stated that until recently, the fishing community remained at fuel queues despite the unavailability of fuel stocks, however it had become impossible to purchase oil as their prices have increased.

Pointing out that the fishing industry in the country depends on fuel, Gamage said that the increase in fuel prices is a fatal blow to the fishing industry.

He further mentioned that the Fisheries Minister was sworn in yesterday (23), who was the same Minister as before. Gamage said that the Minister of Fisheries previously promised for relief that would be given for diesel, however has been unable to do so yet.

Additionally, he went onto question what happened to the Cabinet paper which was submitted regarding the same issue, and demanded where the Minister's solutions have been presented in the face of these exacerbating issues.