On 01-01-2024, Hon. Douglas Devananda Minister of Fisheries, participating as the Chief Guest of the inauguration ceremony held at the Ministry of Fisheries for the commence the office work for the new year.
He stated that His Excellency the President had allocated eight thousand and four hundred (8400 Million) million rupees to the Ministry of Fisheries through the budget for the year 2024, the Ministry had to do a lot of work for the development of the fishing community in the country and he hoped that all the staff members of the Ministry including the new Secretary would perform their duties with very efficiently with dedication.
The Minister further stated that he would remember the cooperation rendered by Hon. Sanath Nishantha, Hon. Kanchana Wijesekara, and Hon. D.V. Chanaka the former State Minister of Fisheries. Hon. Piyal Nishantha De Silva the current State Minister of Fisheries . The Minister also said that he would like to remember the yeoman service rendered by Mrs. Indu Rathnayake, the retired Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries who had served for four years in the said capacity. The Minister added that he would wish all the staff members of the Ministry to have the courage and strength to perform their duties properly and as the Minister of Fisheries, he would provide his fullest cooperation to the development programs of His Excellency President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Hon. Piyal Nishantha De Silva, State Minister of Fisheries, Miss. K.N. Kumari Somarathne, newly appointed Secretary to the Ministry, Mr. Susantha Kahawaththa, Director General of Fisheries Department and the higher officials of all the institutions under the purview of the Ministry of Fisheries graced this event.
