By: Staff Writer
November 02, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s fisheries sector is receiving 430 electric motorcycles under a Rs.265 million Indian Government grant, but the initiative raises a broader question about whether the Government is addressing the industry’s most pressing structural problems or concentrating on improving the mobility of its administrative workforce.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed by Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha and Fisheries Ministry Secretary Dr. B.K. Kolita Kamal Jinadasa in the presence of Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar, provides for the distribution of electric motorcycles among field officers attached to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA) and the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA).
The Indian grant, valued at Rs.265 million, represents a significant contribution to improving field-level government operations. According to the official announcement, the motorcycles are intended to facilitate faster responses, improve regular engagement with fishing communities and strengthen public service delivery across the country.
However, the real test of this assistance will be whether the investment produces measurable improvements in the livelihoods of fishing communities rather than merely providing additional facilities to government employees.
Sri Lanka’s fisheries industry remains a critical source of employment, food security, export earnings and income for coastal communities. Yet the sector continues to face numerous challenges, including rising operational costs, inadequate infrastructure, post-harvest losses, limited cold-storage facilities, difficulties accessing modern fishing technology and increasing pressure on marine resources.
Small-scale fishermen, in particular, require more effective government assistance to overcome fluctuating fuel costs, declining profitability, market-access difficulties and inadequate protection against unpredictable weather conditions.
Against this background, improving the mobility of fisheries officers is useful only if it strengthens services directly reaching fishermen. Regular inspections, monitoring illegal fishing, providing technical advice, supporting aquaculture development and responding to complaints could justify the investment.
Nevertheless, the Ministry must establish transparent criteria for distributing the 430 motorcycles, identifying the beneficiaries, monitoring their use and measuring the results.
There are also legitimate questions about whether the allocation will be determined entirely by operational requirements, geographical coverage and workload, rather than political considerations.
Allegations or perceptions that public-sector benefits are disproportionately directed towards government supporters could undermine confidence in the programme. Such concerns require transparent safeguards, not assumptions about individual beneficiaries’ political affiliations.
The Government should publish the distribution list, institutional allocations and operational guidelines to demonstrate that the grant serves public interests.
The environmental dimension also deserves attention. Electric motorcycles support the Clean Sri Lanka programme by potentially reducing fuel consumption and transport-related emissions. However, their actual environmental benefits will depend on electricity sources, battery replacement arrangements, charging facilities and maintenance costs.
Ultimately, India’s assistance should become an instrument for strengthening the fisheries economy, not simply an improvement in official transport facilities.
The success of this Rs.265 million grant must therefore be judged by tangible benefits delivered to fishermen, improved fisheries management and stronger livelihoods throughout the country’s coastal communities.
