A vessel monitoring system is to be set up in Sri Lanka before end of the year. Minister Rajitha Senaratne says satellite technology will be used for this process. It will also enable to provide correct information to the fishermen and to provide them an efficient service. This new initiative will facilitate around 4,200 multi day crafts. The estimated cost for the establishment of the system is 80 million rupees.
The new initiative will also enable to obtain correct weather forecasts. A pilot project in this regard is now in progress. The Ministry of fisheries hopes to fully implement the project within the next four months. The Minister points out the establishment of the system will also prevent violating of maritime borders of other countries. The Ministry has planned to provide those information to light crafts via radio. He says the ministry is able to provide the information to met department if required.
Around 650 thousand rupees will be spent to provide this facility to each craft. The system will be given away to the fishermen under the ten year repayment basis of the “Dheevara Diriya” loans scheme. An interest rate of 5.5 will be charged for the loans.
Meanwhile, obtaining an insurance policy by the fishermen has been made compulsory from January. The annual installment of the insurance is 750 rupees. A compensation of one hundred thousand rupees will be given for a loss of life.
2012. Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation