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Cardinal to intervene in fishermen issues: SJB

17 Jun 2021

  • SJB meets Cardinal, urges independent committee 

By Buddhika Samaraweera    The Archbishop of Colombo, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has responded positively to a request made by the main Parliamentary Opposition Party the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), to intervene in the issues faced by the fishing community and those stemming from the increase in fuel prices, according to the SJB.  The specific request has been for the Archbishop to intervene in the appointment of an independent committee to study the issues of the fishing community due to the MV X-Press Pearl maritime disaster and the increase in fuel prices, The Morning learnt.  A group of SJB Parliamentarians including MP Dr. Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana yesterday (16) met the Archbishop and requested the latter to intervene to provide the people, in particular the fishing community, with solutions for the issues that have arisen with the MV X-Press Pearl disaster and the increase in fuel prices.  When contacted by The Morning, Dr. Jayawardhana said that the fishing community has lost their income for nearly a month due to the maritime environmental damage caused by the burning of the X-Press Pearl ship. In such a situation, they have become even more helpless due to the Government’s decision to increase fuel prices, he added.  Speaking further, he said: “Accordingly, the Archbishop informed us that action would be taken to request compensation from the Government for the affected fishermen. He will issue a detailed statement in this regard in due course.”  The group including Dr. Jayawardhana had also requested the Archbishop to intervene to appoint an independent committee to study the issues faced by the fishing community, to which Cardinal Ranjith, according to Dr. Jayawardhana, had agreed to provide the necessary support. We requested for his support to appoint a committee of religious leaders and Government officials, and noted that this committee should not be politicised, he added.  “At present, the payment of the Rs. 5,000 allowance has become politicised. In such a situation, it is not possible to find solutions for these issues by appointing committees comprising politicians. Therefore, the SJB will give its fullest support to appoint an independent committee, thereby bringing justice to those affected,” he elaborated.  Attempts to contact the Catholic Church to inquire about the discussion, were unsuccessful.

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