News
Navy brings ashore five Lankan fishermen rescued by foreign vessel
The Navy brought ashore five fishermen, rescued by MV LGC Periklis, to the Galle Harbour and rushed them to the Karapitiya Hospital, Galle, for medical attention on Saturday.
Navy sources said that the fishermen were in distress after their multi-day fishing trawler ‘Asela Putha II’ capsized due to adverse weather in seas southwest of the country.
The trawler had left the Beruwala Fishery Harbour on 04 Nov. 2021, with six fishermen.
As there was no information about this fishing trawler after 01 Jan, the Beruwala Police and the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources turned to the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC Colombo) at the Navy Headquarters for assistance on 04 and 05 Jan. to inquire whether it was in any danger. Promptly responding to the request for assistance, the Navy alerted the MRCCs in India and the Maldives to keep a watch for the missing Lankan multiday fishing trawler.
The Captain of the MV LGC Periklis sailing to the Port Blair of India via Maldivian waters off the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka, sent a message to the MRCC Colombo about the distressed Lankan fishing trawler ‘Asela Putha II’ in the morning of 07 Jan.
Periklis’ captain indicated that five fishermen of the local fishing trawler, which had capsized due to adverse weather in the Maldivian waters about 332 nautical miles (about 614 km) southwestern of Galle, had been rescued and and one fisherman was missing.
The rescued fishermen were brought to Galle Saturday evening by MV LGC Periklis, where P 107 Coastal Patrol Craft attached to the Southern Naval Command transferred them ashore in accordance with COVID-19 protocols. The fishermen were later rushed to the Karapitiya Hospital for medical attention.
The MRCC Colombo has requested the MRCC Maldives to carry out onward action with regard to the search for the missing fisherman.
In terms of the provisions of the Establishments Code on payment of festival advance to government officers, there’s a possibility of obtaining rupees 10,000/- as an advance for celebrating festivals of Theipongal, Ramazan, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Wesak, Deepavali, and Christmas as well as for pilgrimages (Sri Paada pilgrimage and Hajj pilgrimage).
Provisions have been given to recover the said advance in 08 installments or if required earlier without interest. It has been proposed by the Budget 2026 to increase the said festival advance up to rupees 15,000/-.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local governments to revise the relevant provisions so that the festival advance can be increased up to rupees 15,000/- .
As per the approval given by the cabinet meeting held on 02-06-2025, action is being taken at present to offer the underutilized lands/properties of the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Etate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation Company which are under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure which have been identified under stage one to suitable investors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure to provide following lands/properties on a lease basis to the suitable investors for optimal utilization following the prescribed procurement procedure.
• underutilized lands/properties identified under stage two owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Estate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation
Company,
• The Mawarala watte land and the Tea factory 40.48 hectares in extent, located in Matara District belonging to the Tea Shakthi Fund.
• The underutilized land of 1,541 hectares in extent of Kondachchi Estate is enjoyed by the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation.
The drafting of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced with the objective of equitable distribution of the benefits of the fisheries industry and the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. This policy has been updated from time to time according to current requirements. However, steps have not been taken to obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.
According to the policy declaration of the present government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has been redrafted, updating the aforementioned policy in line with the economic and development objectives of the government.
The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for the drafted policy.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine
Resources to implement the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, integrating it with other relevant policies.
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Festival advance for government officers to be increased
Providing underutilized lands/properties to suitable investors for optimal utilization.
Implementation of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy
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