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Sri Lanka fishermen threaten more action over fuel hike

Unions say small-scale fisheries industry still being ignored despite move to partially rescind higher kerosene price
Sri Lanka fishermen threaten more action over fuel hike

Sri Lanka fishermen are shown preparing their nets in this file photo. (Photo by Lakruwan Wanniarachchi/AFP)

Published: June 19, 2018 07:08 AM GMT
Updated: June 19, 2018 07:57 AM GMT

Sri Lankan fishermen are urging the government to further reduce the price of fuel to 44 rupees (US$0.27) per liter to protect the fishing industry and their livelihoods after a confusing few weeks where prices have been raised and lowered.

Fishing organizations met recently with cabinet ministers and Vijith Vijayamuni Zoysa, the minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development and Rural Economic Affairs, to discuss the matter.

Aruna Roshantha, president of All Ceylon Fisher folk Trade Union, said the talks were unsuccessful despite the government appearing to seek a compromise by partially rescinding earlier price hikes.

"The small-scale fisheries industry has largely been ignored so far and the government should have a concrete plan for the industry before it increases the price of fuel," he said.

In early May the government made a controversial decision to ramp up the price of kerosene by 57 rupees a liter, petrol by 20 rupees and diesel by 14 rupees.

This echoes a similar trend witnessed in neighboring India, which saw diesel and petrol prices surge to a record high last month, with petrol costing 77.17 rupees a liter as of May 23 and diesel selling for 68.34 rupees. 

This prompted Indian opposition leaders to slam New Delhi for failing to rein in rising prices.

The nation's law minister said the government was subsequently mulling changing its fuel-pricing mechanism for pump prices to better protect consumers from the volatility seen in global markets. 

Fishermen protesting higher fuel prices display black flags on their boats and trawlers at port in Negombo on Sri Lanka's west coast on May 20, 2018 as they refuse to go out to sea. (Photo by Quintus Colombage/ucanews.com)

 

In Sri Lanka, Colombo justified the hikes by claiming that bus and truck owners were misusing kerosene by mixing it with diesel but it later backpedaled on the higher prices, at least in the case of kerosene, under mounting pressure from local fishermen.

On the night of May 13, boats from several villages along the North Western coastal belt refused to head out to sea, leaving fish markets low on supplies of fresh fish, according to local media reports.

In frustration, fishing organizations launched an island-wide strike on June 11 to show their opposition to the government's decision, with docked boats hoisting black flags in some cities as a show of solidarity against the hikes.

As a result, Colombo agreed to reduce the price of kerosene from 101 rupees per liter to 70 rupees from June 12.

However this apparent concession was not enough to mollify many fishermen, who said they still felt discouraged from working as their incomes have dwindled to such low levels.

"Fisheries-related unions from the [western] city of Negombo to the southern coastal belt have threatened to take more action soon to pressure the government [into further lowering prices]," Roshantha said.

"Most of the fishermen at this level are facing [financial] difficulties going out to sea," he said.

"They buy kerosene on a daily basis in small quantities. Moreover, the government is causing them more pain by heavily taxing their boats, nets and other necessities," he added.

The union chief said lower prices would be better than government subsidies due to a widespread mistrust of local officials amid concern about rampant corruption.

Many of Sri Lanka's predominantly Christian fishermen already lose one day's work a week as they refuse to head out on Sundays and attend church services and feasts with friends instead.

Justin Fernando, a fisherman from Negombo, said he can use anywhere between 20 and 110 liters of fuel a day when working.

"The government claims they have all these subsidies for us but it's just fake news," he said.

"Fishermen have also called for reduced taxes on fishing equipment so their families and the industry as a whole can survive," he added.

"Next up will be hunger strikes unless the government starts to heed our calls," he warned, adding resentment was still high over a brutal crackdown on fisherman who rallied against previous price hikes in 2012.

"The police killed at least one of our brothers during those demonstrations," he said.

Catholic man Anthony Fernando was reportedly shot and killed during the clashes.

Minister Zoysa said the negotiations are ongoing. He expressed confidence a solution would be found soon. 

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