In this regard, a discussion between the Minister of Fisheries and the representatives of Multi-Day vessel owners and the exporter's associations was held on 2024-03-18 at the Ministry of Fisheries.
The Officials of the Sri Lanka Board of Investments, the Finance Ministry, and the Inland Revenue Department attended this discussion. The Minister instructed the Secretary of the Ministry and other officials to discuss with these officials and take measures to prepare a suitable methodology to provide VAT Tax relief for fuel.
Expressing views, the officials of the Association of Multi-day Vessel Owners stated that they face various problems due to the increase of VAT tax and fuel prices. Earlier they had spent nearly 2.5 million rupees to launch a multi-day vessel for fishing, but now it has been increased up to 6 million rupees. They also said that in the past a kilogram of Tuna was sold for 2000 rupees, but now it is sold for a lesser price like 1400 rupees, and they have been in a situation to quit the fisheries industry.
Expressing views at the discussion the fish exporters pointed out that countries such as Maldives and India export Tuna fish for a lesser price and as a result of this the demand for their fish has become low.
Expressing further views, the Minister stated that he and his government understand the issues faced by the fishermen and he would discuss with the president and bring out solutions to these issues very soon.
Senior officials of the Finance Ministry, Sri Lanka Board of Investments, the Inland Revenue Department, the Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries Miss. Nayana Kumari Somarathne and the Director General of the Fisheries Department Susantha Kahawaththa attended this event.
