Galle fisherfolk express concern over further hardship

Fisherfolk in Galle expressed concern about the recent increase in anchorage charges regardless of the hardships faced by them. They said they were already facing hardship due to the fuel price hikes, cost of repairs of boats and fishing gear and the spiraling cost of living had been further burdened with the increased anchorage charges.

The fishermen accused the government of increasing the anchorage charges without providing any facilities. President of the Galle District Fishermen’s Association B.P. Gamini said the anchorage charges had been arbitrarily increased by 25 per cent with effect from January 1, 2014.

“At present more than 600 boats and trawlers are anchored in the Galle fishery harbour. We have to pay Cts.40 per liter of water supplied to us. Sri Lanka is the only country that charges for water supplied to the fishermen. Minister Rajitha Senaratne said every fisherman would receive life saving jackets from January, but no fisherman in the Galle fishery harbour has yet received anything.

The Board of Directors had appointed their favourites to many posts. The office of the fishery harbour is now overstaffed. The authorities are not concerned about the fishermen who are struggling for existence against different odds,” he said.

The Manager of the Fishery Habour S.A.T. Namal said the decision to increase the anchor- age charges was taken by the Fishery Harbour Corporation and it was applicable to all fishery harbours in the country. However the fisherfolk requested the minister to intervene and withdraw the increase.