Pensions and insurance for over 250,000 fishermen

Over 250,000 fishermen will be brought under the pension and insurance schemes launched by the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development.

According to the Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, the insurance scheme introduced in July last year will be made compulsory from 1 April this year.

The scheme covers benefits to the family members, including educational assistance to their children up to the age of 18 and payments for hospitalisation for two weeks, the Minister said.

Rs. 100,000 of the loans raised by the beneficiary will also be settled under the scheme, he said.

Over 220,960 fishermen engaged in marine fishing, including the 40,000 in the Northern and Eastern Provinces and the 33,600 engaged in inland fishing will be brought under the two schemes, the Minister said.

Poaching and cross-border problems among other bilateral issues will be taken up for discussion at the Joint Commission meeting with the Indian delegation on 13 and 14 January to ensure sustainable fisheries development, the Minister said.