Compensation for flood-hit fishermen

By Uditha Kumarasinghe

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has directed Ministry officials to formulate a comprehensive report on the damage caused to the fisheries sector due to the recent floods. The Ministry is now formulating the report and would look into the damage caused to boats and other fishing gear, Minister Amaraweera told the Sunday Observer yesterday. The Minister said the report will cover flood-affected areas, where fishermen live including the North and the East. Based on the report, the Minstry would provide assistance to the fishermen. At present, the Ministry is not in a position to identify families of fishermen displaced due to the floods and they will also be provided relief assistance under the Government’s relief drive. However, if a death of a fishermen is reported, one million rupees in compensation will be paid to the family.

Minister Amaraweera said the Government has allocated over Rs.150 million to provide immediate relief assistance to victims.

More funds will be released based on the requirements, he said. President Maithripala Sirisena has increased the daily allowance to Rs. 225. Compensation ranging from Rs.100,000 up to Rs. 2.5 million will be paid if homes have been damaged.