CPC to provide 500,000 liters of fuel to fishermen, daily

COLOMBO (News 1st) - According to the Ministry of Fisheries, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation has agreed to supply 500,000 liters of kerosene to the fisheries ports daily.

Its Secretary, Indu Karunaratne said that this agreement was reached during the discussions regarding the fishermen's fuel problem.

Accordingly, the kerosene will be released to fishing ports and selected fuel stations.

The secretary stated that about 27,000 fishing vessels have been registered for this purpose.

Majority of these fishing vessels are engaged in daily fishing and the main problem they faced in the past was shortage of kerosene.

Meanwhile, a special program was initiated on Saturday (29) to identify the deficiencies of the fishing ports and the problems faced by fishermen.

The Secretary to the Ministry, Karunaratne stated that accordingly, the Minister in charge and a team including herself will be engaged in an observation tour of the ports including Kirinda Fisherman's Port, and other ports located in Tangalle, Puranawella and Suduwella.

The program aims to identify the economic problems faced by families engaging in fishing, especially in the context of the current economic crisis.

She added that relief will be provided for them immediately.