Kerosene price hike a killer bait!

Over the past week fishermen have staged protests island-wide and they urge the government to bring down prices of kerosene (Pix by Hiran Priyankara – Puttalam )

• At a time when fishermen were anticipating a catch the government imposed a 200% hike on the price of kerosene
• Fishermen have staged protests island-wide and they urge the government to bring down prices of kerosene

The prolonged fuel shortage in the country handicapped many industries including the fisheries sector. For over three months fishermen have been unable to earn a living. And at a time when fishermen were anticipating to make their catch the government imposed a 200% hike on the price of kerosene. Apart from the fisheries sector, around 2 million families in low income segments depend on kerosene for their day-to-day work; hence this price hike is a huge blow to them as well. Over the past week fishermen have staged protests island-wide and they urge the government to bring down prices of kerosene while providing a continuous supply in order to continue with their occupation. However, the government is yet to respond to 
their demands.

• The price hike for kerosene doesn’t only affect the fisheries sector, but even those in low income segments too
• Protests have continued in Chilaw, Negombo, Periyamulla and surrounding areas
• More than 35,000 families depend on the income generated by small fishing boats

Fishermen unable to bear the cost 

“The government is only issuing 15 litres of kerosene per person, but we fishermen need around 40-50 litres per day,” opined All Ceylon Fisheries Trade Union President Aruna Roshantha. “Fishermen have been unable to go to sea for the past three months and with the kerosene price hike engaging in our occupation has become unthinkable. From a personal point of view I need around 50 litres of fuel per day and the price of a litre of kerosene is Rs. 341. This means that I have to spend Rs. 15,000 just for fuel. But we can’t catch fish worth Rs. 5000. So how can we bear this cost,” questioned Roshantha.
Roshantha further said that they have a set of demands which they will discuss with the Presidential Secretary and that further action to be taken depends on the outcome of the meeting. 

Unions urge Govt. to listen to their demands 

This is mere injustice for all segments that depend on kerosene. The entire fisheries sector will come to a standstill. Therefore we request the government to bring down the price of kerosene and provide a continuous supply of fuel”
- Anthony Jesudasan National Fisheries Solidarity Movement (NAFSO) Coordinator 

The price hike for kerosene doesn’t only affect the fisheries sector, but even those in low income segments as well. From Rs. 87 the price of a litre of kerosene has risen to Rs. 341; a 200% increase which people are unable to afford at this hour. “The Minister said that he would provide kerosene for fishermen after August 19, but we didn’t receive any,” said National Fisheries Solidarity Movement (NAFSO) Coordinator Anthony Jesudasan. “This is mere injustice for all segments that depend on kerosene. The entire fisheries sector will come to a standstill. Therefore we request the government to bring down the price of kerosene and provide a continuous supply of fuel in order to carry out our operations as usual. Even though the Minister has promised to issue kerosene he has failed to do so. If the government fails to listen to our demands we will launch a series of protests islandwide,” said Jesudasan. 

A petty income sans savings 

“The prevailing economic crisis had already affected the fisheries sector as fisherfolk can barely afford three meals a day. Also without a proper income children have been unable to attend school. Protests have continued in Chilaw, Negombo, Periyamulla and surrounding areas. Fishermen claim that there’s nothing left for them to survive from the income when they have to spend a huge amount of money on fuel. We therefore urge the government to bring down the price hike by at least a 100%, so that fishermen can save some money,” Suduwella Rural Fisheries Association representative Maxwell Fernando said.

An unfair price hike on a subsidy 

With prices now on par with costs the government has proposed a direct cash subsidy to low income families, fisheries and plantation sectors that depend on kerosene”
- Kanchana Wijesekera Power and Energy Minister 

In a recent Tweet, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said that the kerosene price revision remained a must for many years. “One main reason for CPC losses was selling fuel at subsidised prices. With prices now on par with costs the government has proposed a direct cash subsidy to low income families, fisheries and plantation sectors that depend on kerosene,” the opinion that was tweeted read.

But contrary to his statement, industry activists claim that kerosene was always provided as a subsidy; prioritizing the needs of underprivileged segments. The kerosene requirement is between 300-500 metric tonnes and the CPC issued kerosene as a subsidy without considering the losses. “Therefore the prices weren’t set on par with kerosene prices in the global market,” said Samagi Trade Union Alliance Convener Ananda Palitha. “Ever since the CPC was established kerosene was provided as a subsidy and it’s the duty of the government to bear the cost. The CPC didn’t incur losses because of kerosene. Fishermen have been deprived of their occupation for three months and small fishing boats cannot operate without kerosene. More than 35,000 families depend on the income generated by small fishing boats and these people have been severely affected by the kerosene price hike,” said Palitha.

The CPC didn’t incur losses because of kerosene. Fishermen have been deprived of their occupation for three months and small fishing boats cannot operate without kerosene” - Ananda Palitha Samagi Trade Union Alliance Convener

Activists claim that the Government has taken an unfair decision without considering the plight of people; individuals who depend on kerosene to carry out their day-to-day work. While global kerosene prices have been reduced the Government of Sri Lanka decided to impose a price hike on a subsidised item. Therefore activists urge the government to reconsider this decision and consider the plight of low income segments.

Ministers unavailable for comments 

A few days ago, Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda promised to provide kerosene for the fisheries sector, but a week later the government imposed a price hike on kerosene; further burdening the fishermen who were anticipating some sort of relief. 
Several attempts to contact the Fisheries and Power and Energy Ministers Douglas Devananda and Kanchana Wijesekera respectively, proved futile.