Loan repayments: Shrimp farmers, pet fish breeders seek moratorium
The Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Ministry said that shrimp farmers and pet fish breeders affected by the inclement weather and flooding following the cyclone Ditwah had requested Government assistance through low-interest loan schemes.The Ministry Secretary, Dr. B.K. Kolita Kamal Jinadasa said the Sri Lanka Aquaculture Development Alliance (SLADA) and the National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA) were discussing the possibility of introducing a concessional loan scheme in the wake of Ditwah and the subsequent floods, which had heavily impacted shrimp cultivations and pet fish breeders. The NAQDA, assisted by the SLADA, had carried out data collection on the extent of the damage caused to the farms, he said.
Dr. Jinadasa noted that rather than receiving the Rs. 200,000 compensation payment, SLADA members and pet fish breeders were more concerned about their difficulties in repaying existing loans. There had been requests for Government intervention to secure a moratorium on loan repayments, owing to the losses incurred.
He said that shrimp farms in Batticaloa, Mannar, Puttalam and Chilaw had been severely affected by the floods.
