The Peliyagoda Central Fish Market (CFM) says the prices of fish will be reduced as much as 30 percent within the next few days with the Government’s recent decision to reduce the prices of kerosene and diesel. CFM Chairman Jayasiri Wickramarachchi speaking to media said the kerosene price reduction is really a consolation to almost all fishing boat and fishing trawler owners whose entire livelihood depends mainly on kerosene.
He said fish prices in the Peliyagoda main fish market has rapidly gone up as fishermen have refrained from fishing in the recent past due to high prices of fuel and lubricants and the prices of fish will come down as they will now continue with their traditional fishing activities.
The Chairman said the expected increase in fish stocks at fisheries harbors will help fish stall owners at the main fish market to reduce fish prices considerably and outstation fish stall owners and the consumers will benefit during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year period.
He said if the fuel prices remain at the current level, the public should expect fish prices to reduce by around 30 percent from last month’s rates. Wickramarachchi said if fishermen keep away from fishing it will affect to both consumers, hoteliers and also seafood exporters and thanked the Government for reducing kerosene price.