Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa told Parliament yesterday (6) that following recent floods in Sri Lanka, crabs that previously inhabited lagoons have moved into the open sea, questioning what strategy the Government has to restore these natural resources.
During the debate, Rajapaksa criticised the Government’s response to the hardships faced by fishing and farming communities affected by the disasters. He likened the administration’s approach to the sideways movement of a crab, claiming the Government lacked a clear understanding of the country’s current situation.
Rajapaksa also alleged that several fishing villages, including Seruwavila and Mavil Aru, were excluded from Government relief lists despite suffering severe economic losses, even in areas without direct flood damage. He further noted that although the President had promised compensation ranging from Rs. 5 million to Rs. 10 million for housing damage, such aid had yet to materialise.
He accused the Government of shifting responsibility onto Grama Niladharis and other officials while remaining silent, and stressed that authorities should be transparent with the public about what can and cannot be done.
Responding to these claims, NPP Parliamentarian Ajith Gihan rejected Rajapaksa’s remarks, saying they were made without any technical understanding of the fisheries sector. Gihan questioned the basis of Rajapaksa’s assertion that crabs had been swept into the sea due to floods and accused him of lacking even basic knowledge of fisheries matters.
Gihan added that the Government had already taken steps to support those affected in the prawn farming sector, including distributing prawn juveniles and providing highly concessional loans of up to Rs. 25 million.
He urged Rajapaksa to undertake a proper study of the fisheries sector before making public statements, rather than delivering brief and uninformed speeches in Parliament.
