Govt. with grandiose plans has got basics wrong -JVP

By Saman Indrajith

JVP-led NPP MP Vijitha Herath told Parliament yesterday that the government which spoke of grandiose plans to develop the country’s fishing industry had only allocated five rupees each for fishermen in the Budget 2024.

Participating in the committee stage debate on Budget 2024, under the expenditure heads of the Ministry of Fisheries, MP Herath said that when the funds allocated for the fishing industry development were divided by the number of fishermen in the country the amount came to just five rupees per fisherman.

However, the same Budget 2024 has allotted Rs 110 million to maintain four former presidents, he said.

With the VAT coming into force, the price of one litre of diesel will be increased by Rs 63, MP Herath said demanding to know from the government how would the sea going fishers be able to ply their trade. “The fishermen under these conditions will have to cover the expenses out of their pockets. Where on earth do you expect to find fishermen going fishing at a loss? This VAT increase will result in many fishermen discontinuing their traditional livelihood and moving to other jobs such as doing labour jobs for daily wages,” Herath said.