The Japanese government agreed to provide a grant of 3 million US dollars for the development of the fisheries sector in the northern and eastern provinces of Sri Lanka in response to the request made by the Minister of Fisheries, Mr. Douglas Devananda, to support the growth of the fisheries sector in those regions from the Japanese ambassador to Sri Lanka, Mr. Misukoshi Hidayaki. Accordingly, the pertinent agreement was signed at the Ministry of Finance on November 22, 2023.

Under this financial grant, the Japanese government has agreed to expand freezer facilities and provide fishermen with modern technical equipment. 

On this occasion, the Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Mr. Misukoshi Hideki and the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Mahinda Siriwardena signed the relevant agreement, The Minister of Fisheries, Douglas Devananda, the State Minister of Finance, Shehan Semasinghe and the Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries, Mr. Indu Ratnayake participated in this event.