Fishermen in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province are facing a deepening livelihood crisis as fuel shortages, driven by global conflict in the Middle East, continue to disrupt their daily operations. N.M. Alam, Secretary of the Northern Province Fishermen’s Federation, warned that the situation has pushed fishing communities into severe hardship. He made these remarks during a press briefing held on Monday at his office in Mannar.
He emphasized that the fuel shortage must be understood in the context of international war conditions and their ripple effects on Sri Lanka. Coastal districts such as Mannar, Mullaitivu, Jaffna, and Kilinochchi rely heavily on fishing as their primary economic activity. According to Alam, fishermen in these areas were already burdened by multiple challenges, including the aftermath of the country’s economic crisis, ongoing illegal incursions by Indian fishermen, and damage caused by the cyclone. The current fuel shortage has intensified these struggles, raising fears about future price increases and potential shortages of essential goods in the region.
A major concern is the acute shortage of kerosene, a critical fuel for fishing operations. Fishermen are urging the government to introduce a fair and efficient distribution system to address the crisis. With warnings that the fuel shortage could peak by May, uncertainty continues to grow. Alam acknowledged that citizens may need to make sacrifices given the global and national situation, but stressed that the burden on fishermen has become overwhelming.
The recent increase in kerosene prices by 60 Rupees has sharply raised operational costs. Fishermen now spend between 15,000 to 20,000 Rupees per day on fuel for a single fishing trip. Typically, three individuals rely on one boat for their income, and when daily earnings fall below 30,000 Rupees, they are left struggling to cover costs, effectively pushing them into debt.
Despite these challenges, fishermen say they are willing to comply with government regulations and adapt to the crisis by using fuel more efficiently. However, they are calling on authorities to provide relief measures or concessions to help sustain their livelihoods during this period of rising costs and economic uncertainty.
