The Minister of Fisheries Douglas Devananda stated that he would like to express appreciation on behalf of the Sri Lankan Government for the grant of 3 Million Dollars provided by Japan through the World Food and Agriculture Organization to develop the Freshwater Fishing Industry in Sri Lanka.
The Minister stated this at the ceremony to sign the relevant agreement between the Ministry of Fisheries and the Resident Representative of the United Nations Organization in Sri Lanka held on 2024-04-25 at the office of the World Food and Agriculture Organization located in the UNO Building in Colombo.
Expressing further views the Minister stated that the Freshwater Fishing Industry in Sri Lanka is carried out in every district of the island. The fishermen who engage in this industry face severe difficulties in carrying out this industry as a result of the non-availability of hatcheries to get the fingerlings needed for this industry. Therefore, he would like to thank the Japanese Government for providing 3 million dollars through the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization.
The Minister also said that with this 3 million dollars he would take measures to set up four small hatcheries run by the community at Mullaitivu, Anuradhapura, Batticaloa, and Monaragala Districts and to set up four centers of National Aquatic Resources Development Authority with the objective of the development of the hatcheries, promoting the culture of fish in cages and to increase the food security by the development of the livelihood of the community.
The minister also said that the measures would be taken to provide the expertise and to provide all the required equipment needed to manage the breeding of fish to establish the freshwater fishing industry and it would be useful to expand up to Kilinochchi in the Northern Province.
Addressing the ceremony, Japanese Ambassador H.E Mizukoshi stated that Japan and Sri Lanka are both island nations that share a deep-rooted appreciation of the importance of the Fishery in economics and culture. Recognizing this importance, Japan has contributed to developing Sri Lanka’s Fishing industry since 2023. He also said that he is committed to supporting the maritime sector. He said that this new project will be started in conjunction with this continuous effort and it is hoped to strengthen Sri Lanka’s fishing activities and thereby secure the livelihood of the fishing community.
Many officials including the Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries Miss. Nayana Kumari Somarathna, resident coordinator of the United Nations in Sri Lanka Mr. Marc-Andre Franche and the resident representative of FAO in Sri Lanka Mr. Vimalendran Sharan addressed the gathering.
