68th National Budget and the Fisheries Sector

The 68th National Budget speech was held by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse yesterday at the Parliament and this is the 9th budget of his own government.

According to the budget proposals, President Rajapakse has proposed to maintain the imported tax for fisheries products in a higher rate. But, it is not clear on what level though we see this as an important move.
At the same time, the proposed allocations for fishery harbors in Gandara, Wennappuwa, Dodanduwa, Chilaw, Kapparathota, Kalamatiya in the southern and western coasts as well as Gurunagar and Silawatura in the north areas.
Encouragement of boat construction locally is another aspects of the positive side of the budget.
We need to study further the 68th budget in relation to fisheries specific matters and overall national economy.

Herman