The Government allocated Rs. 600 million for the early purchase of the fish harvest, based on the decision arrived at the meeting of ruling party members of the former Parliament on Thursday.
This meeting was held in Colombo under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.
This decision has been taken to prevent the inconvenience faced by both fishermen and the public.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa had apprised the former parliamentarians at this meeting that measures need to be taken to safeguard local industries in the face of imminent global economic down turn due to Covid 19 pandemic.
He had said that a comprehensive mechanism will be put in place to purchase fish stocks brought from multi day fishing trawlers in compliance with health guidelines and distribute them to all parts of the country for the benefit of people.
"We have already directed the Fisheries Corporation to immediately purchase the fish stocks ", the Prime Minister said
He had said that country should strive to meet its rice, vegetable, fish and fruit requirements locally.
Chairman of the Presidential Task Force to Coordinate and Monitor the delivery of continuous services for the sustenance of overall community life and former Minister Basil Rajapaksa said that fishermen have been allowed to engage in fishing.
"Permission has been granted for the fishermen to engage in fishing. Inland fishermen can also continue their livelihood without any hassle. Demands for local produce including vegetables, fruits and chicken need to be promoted. As these items are not exported now, they are kept in storage", he said
The former Minister said that demands for these produce should be increased to find a market for these produce.
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