News
Seafood Exporters’ Association calls for unified action and diversification
US tariffs:
The Seafood Exporters’ Association of Sri Lanka has expressed serious concern that the recent reduction of US tariffs, from 44% to 30% on Sri Lankan exports, has been mischaracterised as a significant breakthrough. While the reduction has prevented the complete loss of US market access, the Association emphasised that Sri Lankan seafood exporters remain at a severe disadvantage compared to regional competitors.
The Seafood Exporters’ Association of Sri Lanka represents the country’s leading seafood producers and exporters, committed to sustainable practices, quality standards, and socially responsible operations. The Association supports its members in expanding Sri Lanka’s seafood exports globally, including active market development efforts in North America, the Middle East, Far East, and Europe. Through collaboration and advocacy, the Association works to strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of the seafood sector for the benefit of the national economy and coastal communities.
Sri Lankan seafood exports to the US accounts for more than 25% and for some seafood products, such as pasteurized crab meat, it’s 100%. “Even at 30%, our exports face significantly higher duties than those from Vietnam and the Philippines, which enjoy tariffs of 20% or less,” said the Chairman of the Association. “This disparity affects critical export sectors, such as seafood, tea, coconut products, and processed foods—industries that collectively support thousands of Sri Lankan jobs and livelihoods.”
The Association highlighted that its members are actively working to diversify export destinations, including building stronger market positions in the Middle East, Far East, and Europe. However, it cautioned that establishing meaningful market share takes sustained investment, time, and a supportive policy environment.
Our competitiveness is already constrained by higher raw material costs in Sri Lanka and the burden of domestic taxes, both of which directly impact the prices we can offer to our buyers,” the spokesperson noted. “The introduction of a 30% tariff will further strain the supply chain, directly affecting the prices paid to fishermen and ultimately threatening their livelihoods.” “While we are committed to investing in new markets, we urgently need the government’s support to address these structural disadvantages.”
Call for Unified Action and Stronger Negotiation
The Seafood Exporters’ Association has urged Sri Lanka’s trade and business leadership to adopt a more assertive and strategic approach, including:
Negotiating further tariff reductions to levels comparable to regional competitors, before 1 August 2025.
Establishing a clear, transparent roadmap for trade discussions with US authorities, with structured participation from industry representatives.
Developing a comprehensive export competitiveness strategy that improves supply chains, ensures compliance with international standards, and accelerates market access advocacy.
“This is not a victory. At best, it is a temporary reprieve,” the Association emphasised. “Without decisive action, Sri Lanka risks losing further ground in its most important markets while others secure long-term advantages.”
More than 108,000 complaints of child abuse had been received by the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) between 2015 and 2025, Women and Child Affairs Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj told Parliament yesterday.
Responding to a question raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa under Standing Order 27/2, the Minister said 4,421 child abuse cases were pending before High Courts as of April 30 this year, with indictments already filed against the accused.
She said the NCPA was working with 47 Police Child and Women Protection Bureaus under the Police Children and Women Abuse Prevention Division to expedite the hearing and conclusion of these cases.
The Minister said measures were also being taken to protect child victims during legal proceedings by introducing a system to record their evidence through video in a safe and child-friendly environment, thereby reducing the need for them to appear in court.
She said discussions were underway with the Ministries of Health and Mass Media and other relevant institutions to establish nine provincial video evidence recording units.
by Saman Indrajith ✍️
The Court of Appeal yesterday dismissed a writ petition seeking to postpone the 2026 G.C.E. A/L Examination by two months.
The petition, filed by a group of students due to sit the examination for the first and second time, sought an order delaying the examination, which is scheduled to commence next month.
The Court announced its decision after considering submissions made in support of the application and declined to grant leave to proceed with the petition.
As a result, the 2026 G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination will be held as scheduled in August.
Leader of the House and Minister Bimal Rathnayake yesterday criticised the conduct of MP Archchuna Ramanathan in Parliament, describing the behaviour of certain lawmakers as “uncivilised, disgraceful and indecent”, while a heated exchange followed between government and opposition members.
Rathnayake made the remarks when Ramanathan attempted to raise a point of order during parliamentary proceedings.
“This parliament has one or two members who behave in a very uncivilised, disgraceful manner. We tolerate them because one of them is mentally ill,” Rathnayake said.
He alleged that Ramanathan had insulted even members of the Tamil community.
“The things he says may not be heard through the microphone, but the four walls of this Parliament are witnesses,” Rathnayake said, adding that Ramanathan’s conduct was not limited to Parliament.
He claimed that the Jaffna District Coordinating Committee meeting could not be held due to Ramanathan’s behaviour and said MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam had written to the Speaker stating that he could not sit near him.
The Speaker intervened during the exchange, warning Ramanathan not to behave in a manner that would turn Parliament into “a joke”. He also said the MP had previously addressed him in an insulting manner.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa criticised the manner in which Rathnayake and the Speaker had addressed the matter, saying MPs should not be spoken to improperly and urging members to follow parliamentary Standing Orders.
Ramanathan, responding to the remarks, said: “I may be a psycho, but I am not a homosexual.”
by Saman Indrajith ✍️
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