The "National Fishing Vessel Census - 2025", which aims at the sustainable development and digitization of the country's fisheries industry after more than a decade, was officially launched 04th of August at the Panadura Fishery Harbour under the patronage of the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Mr. Ramalingam Chandrasekar, and the Deputy Minister, Mr. Rathna Gamage.
This island-wide census, jointly organized by the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources and the "Clean Sri Lanka" programme, will continue until 20th of August. Marking the inauguration, the Minister and the Deputy Minister affixed census stickers on fishing vessels and entered information into the database using tablet computers. Afterwards, they engaged in a cordial conversation with the fishing community at the Panadura Fishery Harbour.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Ramalingam Chandrasekar, said:
“Since such a census has not been conducted for the past 10 years, we did not have accurate data on the actual number of fishing vessels in the country, their condition, and capacity. This situation was a major obstacle for modernizing the fishing industry and providing the necessary relief to the fishing community.
Today, we are launching a digital census based entirely on information technology. The aim of this is to transform the fishing industry in our country beyond the traditional fishing community into a modern industry that is equipped with modern technology and earns dollars for the national economy, while meeting the need for quality protein.
Through this census, steps will be taken to protect our marine resources under the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ programme by identifying and properly managing broken and decommissioned vessels. I respectfully request all fishing communities to extend their full support to make this national programme a success.”
Deputy Minister Rathna Gamage said:
“Accurate data is essential for the development of any country. We identified that the data available in our ministry was inaccurate. That is why we decided to make an accurate database through this census. This census is being conducted in several phases. Firstly, outboard motor boats, secondly, multi-day boats, and thirdly, traditional and inland boats are being counted. This will enable us to identify the number of fibreglass boats abandoned on the coast, which was a request of the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ programme, and to direct them for recycling through the ‘Cey Nor’ organization.
Likewise, we introduce a new insurance scheme called 'Sayura' on the 14th of this month, addressing a major problem facing by the fishing community, the lack of an insurance scheme.
Our government has already taken steps to increase the compensation given to a fisherman who dies in a disaster from Rs. 200,000 to 1 million. Through all this, our goal is to build a data-driven, sustainable fishing industry that can deal with the international community.”
All the information collected through this census will be entered into the new online database of the Ministry, and from 2026, all services, including issuing operating licenses and providing subsidies, will be granted only for the vessels included in this census.
Participants at this event:
Mr. Nishantha Pradinando – Mayor of Moratuwa
Mr. B.A.P. Kapila Bamunuarachchi – Chairman, Lanka Fishery Harbours Corporation
Mr. Susantha Kahawatte – Director General, Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
Mr. Dasun Wijesekera – Director (Coordination), Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat
Mr. S.P. Premawardhana – Assistant Director, Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
