President Dissanayake pledges investment support to commercialise Sri Lanka's fishing industry
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On 27 October 2026, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced that the government aims to transform Sri Lanka's fishing industry from a subsistence economy into a commercial sector, pledging facilities for required new investments.
Speaking during 2027 budget proposal discussions for the fisheries ministry, Dissanayake instructed officials to submit plans to increase production and raise fishing community incomes. He also directed the Ministry of Finance to design dedicated loan criteria for the sector.
Discussions noted that Sri Lanka produces nearly 400,000 metric tons of fish annually, but approximately 40 percent is lost to post-harvest waste.
Officials also addressed lowering consumer prices, introducing modern deep-sea vessels involving the private sector, green ports, and aquaculture land issues with the Mahaweli Authority. Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekhar and Deputy Minister Ratna Gamage attended.
