The Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Mr. Ramalingam Chandrasekar, expressed his views at the media briefing held at the Government Information Department on 25th of September, 2025 to inform the public about the implementation of the activities of the President's Fund.
The Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Mr. Ramalingam Chandrasekar, the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Mr. Arun Hemachandra, the Senior Additional Secretary to the President and Secretary to the President's Fund, Mr. G.G.S.C. Roshan, the Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Mr. Dr. Sugath Yalegama, the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, Mr. Kosala Wickramasinghe and a group of others participated in this event.
The Minister stated that the fishing industry, which contributes greatly to the country's economy and the supply of protein to the people, has been facing hardship and social marginalization for a long time. The Minister pointed out that the education and lives of the children of fishermen who have gone missing, been in distress or have been imprisoned in foreign countries have been disrupted.
The Minister said that with the aim of changing this situation, the government has taken steps to provide relief through the President's Fund. Accordingly, financial assistance will be provided to children who are studying. Ordinary Level students will receive Rs. 3,000 per month, Advanced Level students will receive Rs. 5,000 per month and university students will receive Rs. 8,000 per month (for one year). The Minister emphasized that this fund can now be easily obtained at the Divisional Secretariat level and through online.
In addition, the Minister noted that the Ministry of Fisheries has also developed an insurance coverage system. He urged the affected fishing community to visit their Divisional Secretariats to fill out the relevant applications and obtain relief. He also requested the media to assist in accurately informing the fishing community of this important information.
