Due to the existence of a suitable environment for the cultivation of sea plants on the coast of Sri Lanka, many foreign investors are showing more interest in investing in this sector.
Accordingly, a group of Indian and Dutch investors held a discussion about it in a meeting with Mr. Douglas Devananda at the Ministry of Fisheries on 27/11/2023.
Expressing views at this occasion, the Chairman of Carbon & Blue plant institute said that necessary preparations were being carried out on 100 acres in Settikulam and Ambigeinagar areas of the Northern Province for seaweed cultivation and their aim is to expand this cultivation to other areas.
He further claimed that his company has more than 30 years of experience in this field and that it is capable of creating opportunities for about 600 people in the area .In addition, he said that his organization would take steps to provide training so that those employees could earn an income of over Rs.50,000/= per month. The support of the Ministry was further requested for that.
In response,the minister, Mr. Douglas Devananda who addressed the group, said that in developing investment projects for the cultivation of sea leeeches, shrimps, crabs and seaweed in the Northern Province, the projects should be carried out with the support of the local residents. He also said that seaweed cultivation could be done not only in the northern province but also in many areas of Sri Lanka and he would take a decision on this after inspecting these cultivation lands in the future.
Secretary of the Ministry Mrs. Indu Ratnayake, Director General of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Department Mr. Susantha Kahawatta and a delegation of Carbon & Blueplant institute participated in this event.
