The ‘Sayura’ Special Life Insurance Scheme was successfully launched in Kudawella on 14th of August under the patronage of the Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Mr. Rathna Gamage, with the objective of ensuring the safety of the fishing community.
Hambantota District Parliamentarian and Chairman of the Coordinating Committee, Mr. Nihal Galappaththi, Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government, Mr. Ruwan Senrath, Chairman of the Agricultural Insurance Board, Mr. Pemasiri Jasingarachchi, Director General of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Mr. Susantha Kahawatte, Pradeshiya Sabha members, Government officials and the fishing community participated in this event.
In his keynote address, Deputy Minister Rathna Gamage highlighted the challenge of living a risky fishing life without insurance. He emphasized that the establishment of a life insurance scheme, which was a major promise made by the current government to the fishing community during the 2019 presidential election, became a reality today in Kudawella.
The Deputy Minister said that this new insurance scheme will provide benefits with privileges that were not available before, and will provide relief even in cases of disability, partial or total disability, death or disappearance under benefit levels ranging from Rs. 1.2 to 2 million. He emphasized that this will provide real security and life coverage to the fishing community and their families. He further said that a new pension scheme will also be introduced on International Fishermen's Day on 22nd of November in this year.
The Chairman of the Agricultural Insurance Board, expressed his views and stated that for the past 70 years, the fishing community has not got a sustainable insurance system and that ‘Sayura’ insurance will fill that gap. Anyone can be joined to this insurance with a small contribution of Rs. 1850 per year, and in the event of loss of life, a benefit of Rs. 12,00,000 will be paid, and in the event of partial disability, a sum of Rs. 6,00,000 will be paid.
The Director General of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources said that last year alone, 47 fishermen died or went missing at sea. He stressed that the need for an insurance system like ‘Sayura’ is extremely important as this situation completely destroys the economy of fishing families.
Mr. Gamage said that the government is committed to uplift the entire fishing industry and improve their living standards, and this is just the beginning. The Deputy Minister invited the fishing community to contribute to this new program.
