Welfare projects for fishermen

by Mohammed Naalir

The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry will implement various welfare projects for a large number of fresh water and deep sea fishermen, Minister Rajitha Senaratne said.

The Fisheries Ministry will introduce a separate pension scheme for fishermen. After retirement, a fisherman will receive the monthly pension of Rs. 10,000 until the age of 78, the Minister said.

Minister Senaratne said that a Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 300,000 insurance scheme will be introduced for fishermen.

In the event, any fisherman went missing at sea, his family members will be provided Rs. 5,000 every month, the Minister said. A family of two children will be provided Rs. 4,000. Plans are afoot to construct permanent houses for all fishermen before 2014 and steps have been taken to provide boats, fishing nets and other fisheries equipment on a soft loan basis, the Minister said.