Six-month fuel concession plan to support fishing industry amid rising costs

The Cabinet of Ministers at their meeting on Monday approved providing relief to the fishing industry in response to the sharp rise in fuel prices.

Accordingly, fishing vessel owners who use diesel fuel will receive an allowance of Rs. 25 per litre of diesel, up to a maximum of Rs. 300,000 per month. “This concession applies to a maximum of 25 days per month, again limited to the working days,” Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Vijitha Herath said during the post-Cabinet meeting media briefing on Tuesday.

He also said those who use kerosene as fuel will be eligible for a fishing industry recovery allowance of Rs. 25 per litre of kerosene, with a daily limit of 15 litres and a maximum of 25 days per month, again limited to the working days.

Herath said if fuel prices are revised, the maximum concession price for diesel will be Rs. 25 per litre and Rs. 150 per litre for kerosene. 

The concessions are effective from 1 October.

“The program will ensure that fishing communities receive a discount of 7.5% off the market price for diesel and 12.5% for kerosene, lasting for the six-month period,” he said.

Herath said these measures aim to alleviate the financial burden on fishing communities caused by rising fuel costs and ensure their continued operation.