The Treasury has released Rs.1514.9 million to the Fisheries Ministry to pay the fourth round of compensation to fishermen who lost their livelihood following the X-Press Pearl tragedy in the seas off Colombo harbour in 2021.
Thousands of fishermen lost their livelihood with the imposition of a fishing ban from Kalutara to Negombo by the Government considering the damage caused to the marine environment after the Xpress Pearl ship carrying chemicals caught fire and sank in the sea off Colombo. The relevant insurance company has provided the Treasury Rs.1,514.9 million as the fourth round of compensation to be paid through the Fisheries Ministry.
The Ministry of Fisheries will compensate 16,867 persons engaged in fishing and other related industries in Gampaha, Colombo, and Kalutara districts.
At the end of the fourth round of compensation, one fisherman will be entitled to between Rs.330,000 - Rs. 500,000 as compensation, depending on the fishing
method used by the fishermen and the number of days the fishing ban was in effect.
Minister of Fisheries Douglas Devananda has advised the concerned officials to complete the payment of the fourth round of compensation before this New Year.
During three previous rounds, Rs.1,477 million was given as compensation to fishermen who lost their livelihood due to the ban on fishing after the Express Pearl ship accident.
Accordingly, at the end of the fourth round, Rs.3,000 million has been paid by the relevant ship insurance company to Sri Lanka.
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