Sri Lanka's Cabinet has directed the Legal Draftsman to prepare legislation amending the 1990 Fishermen's Pension and Social Security Benefit Scheme Act to modernize protections and enhance benefits for the fishing community.
The Cabinet of Ministers has instructed the Legal Draftsman to draft a Bill amending the Fishermen's Pension and Social Security Benefit Scheme Act of 1990, according to Cabinet Spokesman and Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa. The revision aims to strengthen the existing framework to better serve current needs within the fishing sector and improve retirement security for contributing fishermen.
The Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Ministry identified the need to update the legislation to reflect present-day requirements and enhance social security provisions. In response, the ministry's Secretary appointed a committee of officials to review the 1990 Act and recommend specific amendments. The committee proposed changes focused on boosting pension benefits and reinforcing social security protections for elderly fishermen.
Dr. Jayatissa outlined at Tuesday's post-Cabinet media briefing that the Cabinet's approval to instruct the Legal Draftsman follows the committee's recommendations. The amendments are designed to establish a modernized framework for the pension and social security scheme, with the proposed revisions to be incorporated into the draft legislation for parliamentary consideration.
