The World Fisheries Day celebrations will be held at the Beruwala Divisional Secretariat premises at 10.00 a.m. today (21) under the aegis of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena .
Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda and State Minister Piyal Nishantha de Silva will also join in this event and introduce the new fisheries insurance scheme, a new pension scheme under the ‘Dola Rala Saviya’ programme implemented on a concept of the State Minister.
Introducing the ‘Diyawara Kekulu’ Children’s Savings Account, issuing a commemorative stamp, awarding scholarships to the children of the fisheries community who obtained excellent results, providing financial assistance to new entrepreneurs in the ornamental fish industry and a discourse on the Fisheries Charter will also be held today.
A new insurance policy called “Dheewara Rakuma” will be introduced to fishermen in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation. In case of death or incapacity while engaged in fishing due to an accident, the fisherman or the family members will be awarded compensation ranging from Rs. 1.2 million – 2 million.
If a fisherman goes missing due to an accident while engaged in fishing, the family will be given Rs.7,500 per month for up to 12 months.
Fishermen can receive these benefits by paying premiums ranging from Rs.1,865-2,000 annually.
A new pension scheme is being launched in association with the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board, to which fishermen aged 18 to 59 years can contribute. This pension is available to fishermen from the age of 60.
This pension will be given to the spouse of the member and their children in case of a death.
The Ministry of Fisheries together with the Bank of Ceylon will introduce the ‘Diyawara Kekulu’ children’s savings account today, under which money will be given to fishermen’s children every month for educational activities. The amount in the children’s savings account will be increased tenfold in case of the sudden death of their father.
