Fact Check
MP Sajith Premadasa made the above statement in the context of the hardship faced by the fisherfolk community over the last two years that has been exacerbated following the X-Press Pearl ship disaster. To evaluate this claim, FactCheck.lk consulted the Economic and Social Statistics of Sri Lanka report published by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Statistics Department.
In 2019, Sri Lanka’s gross income from Marine Fishing and Marine Aquaculture of the country amounted to LKR 169,976 million. According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Statistics Department, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for Sri Lanka in 2019 was LKR 15,016,142 million. Therefore, contributions from marine fishing and aquaculture accounted for 1.1% of that year’s GDP.
Therefore, we classify the MP’s as TRUE.
*FactCheck.lk’s verdict is based on the most recent information that is publicly accessible. As with every fact check, if new information becomes available, FactCheck.lk will revisit the assessment.
Additional Note
Sri Lanka’s fisheries industry is made up of: (a) Marine Fishing and Marine Aquaculture (LKR 169,976 million), and (b) Fresh Water Fishing and Fresh Water Aquaculture (LKR 27,013 million). Therefore, with the non-marine industry added, the total contribution of fisheries industry is 1.31% of the GDP. The MP’s statement refers only to the marine component of the industry, which is in line with the context of the statement. In 2020, the industry has contracted, the total contribution of the fisheries industry was 1.1.% of GDP.
Sources
Statistics Department, Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Economic and Social Statistics of Sri Lanka 2020(ESS), p. 16 available at: https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/sites/default/files/cbslweb_documents/statistics/otherpub/ess_2020_e1.pdf [last accessed 29 June 2021]
Statistics Department, Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Economic and Social Statistics of Sri Lanka 2019 (ESS), available at: https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/sites/default/files/cbslweb_documents/statistics/otherpub/ess_2019_e.pdf [last accessed 29 June 2021]
Ministry of Fisheries, Fisheries Statistics 2020, p. 57 available at: https://www.fisheriesdept.gov.lk/web/images/Statistics/FISHERIES-STATISTICS–2020-.pdf [last accessed 29 June 2021]