Sri Lanka to Import Fish Amid Domestic Shortage, Minister Blames Decline in Manufacturing Sector

Industry Minister Sunil Handunnetti has announced that Sri Lanka will import fish either tomorrow or the following day to address a growing shortage in the domestic market. This shortage, according to the Minister, stems from a lack of locally produced fish that meets the required standards for export. The decision to import fish follows a period earlier in 2024 when Sri Lanka temporarily halted the import of canned fish in a bid to support local industry and protect domestic fishermen from foreign competition.

During his address at a function in Colombo, Minister Handunnetti pointed to long-standing issues within the country's manufacturing sector, claiming that it has been in decline for the past seventy years. He expressed concerns that this decline has contributed to the current shortage of locally sourced fish, which is unable to meet demand for both local consumption and export.

The Minister also criticized those who have undermined the country's manufacturing economy, arguing that it is counterproductive for them to now criticize his decision to import fish. He stressed that the nation’s inability to meet its fish production needs domestically reflects deeper systemic issues within Sri Lanka's industrial sector.

The decision to import fish is a short-term measure to ensure an adequate supply for local consumers while efforts to strengthen domestic production continue.