China-aided fuel distributed to fishermen in Sri Lanka

A launch ceremony for fuel distribution to fishermen in Sri Lanka, a China-aided humanitarian emergency assistance project to the country, was held at the Modara Fishing Harbor in the Western Province of Sri Lanka on May 23, 2023. Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong and Sri Lankan Minister of Fisheries Douglas Devananda attended the event and fueled the first local fishing boat receiving the aid.

Qi noted that since last year, the economic crisis has greatly impacted the fishing industry in Sri Lanka. Skyrocketing prices and insufficient supply of fuel have brought severe challenges to ordinary fishing families. He said that the Chinese people empathize with the difficulties faced by the Sri Lankan people, and shared his belief that the fuel assistance can effectively meet the urgent needs and alleviate economic pressure of fishermen and their families, as well as his hope that the country will overcome the difficulties soon and restore prosperous development.

On behalf of the fishing community in Sri Lanka, Devananda expressed his appreciation to the Chinese government and people for their long-term assistance, and promised to distribute the China-aided fuel to fishermen in need as soon as possible. He also thanked the Chinese government for its care for ethnic minority areas in the eastern and northern parts of Sri Lanka. He emphasized that the fishermen will always remember China’s timely help in the face of the pandemic and economic crisis, and looked forward to strengthening cooperation with China in the fishing industry to improve the livelihoods of the people in his country's northeastern region.

In 2022, the Chinese government announced 500 million yuan ($70.37 million) in emergency humanitarian aid to assist Sri Lanka in dealing with the country's current difficulties. Under this aid, China has provided 9,000 tons (10.6 million liters) of diesel fuel to help farmers and fishermen, who have been severely affected by the crisis.

At present, 6.84 million liters of diesel fuel have been distributed to farmers in need through designated refueling stations, benefiting about 232,000 farming households in preparation for the harvesting of Maha season rice. The remaining 3.79 million liters of diesel fuel will be replaced by Sri Lanka with 4.05 million liters of kerosene and distributed to fishermen in need. About 27,000 fishing boats across Sri Lanka will receive 150 liters of fuel aid per boat.