The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement for the establishment of modern Marine Radio Communication and Emergency Response Units (MRCU) at the fishing ports of Valachchenai, Trincomalee and Myliddy was signed today at the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Marine Resources.
The project is being implemented with technical and financial assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and is expected to significantly enhance the safety and communication of fishermen operating in Sri Lankan waters.
The signing ceremony was attended by Dr. B.K. Kolitha Kamal Jinadasa, Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries, S.J. Kahawatte, Director General of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and JICA Deputy Director Nomura Tetsuya. They emphasized that the initiative marks an important milestone in elevating Sri Lanka’s fisheries sector to a new technological phase.
The primary objective of the project is to maintain uninterrupted communication with multi-day fishing vessels at sea, monitor maritime conditions, issue timely weather alerts and safety notifications, and minimize response times during emergencies. The advanced infrastructure to be installed at the new communication centers will enable the rapid coordination of rescue operations, thereby significantly contributing to the protection of fishermen’s lives.
Thousands of fishermen in the Northern and Eastern provinces are expected to benefit from safe, reliable and modern communication systems. The project will also help curb illegal fishing activities, improve vessel route planning, and strengthen fisheries management at the national level.
The proposed project is scheduled to begin and conclude within the next year.
The Ministry’s Media Unit notes that this initiative will safeguard Sri Lanka’s marine resources, usher the fishing industry into a new technological era, and enhance safety and operational efficiency in the years ahead.
