Ramalingam Chandrasekar, Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, recently met with U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, H.E Julie Chung, to discuss collaborative initiatives aimed at strengthening Sri Lanka's fisheries sector and addressing key challenges.
During the discussions, Ambassador Chung expressed her support for organizing investor forums to attract U.S. investments into Sri Lanka’s fisheries industry. The Minister emphasized the importance of such initiatives in unlocking economic opportunities and enhancing the sector’s growth potential.
A significant portion of the discussion focused on strengthening the Sri Lanka Coast Guard to combat drug smuggling and enhance maritime security. The Minister highlighted the urgent need for fleet upgrades and technical assistance, to which the Ambassador reiterated the U.S.’s willingness to provide support.
The conversation also touched on improving aquaculture practices in Sri Lanka. Minister Chandrasekar requested technical assistance from the United States to introduce advanced aquaculture technologies and methods, which would contribute to the sustainable growth of the sector. Ambassador Chung acknowledged the potential for collaboration in this area and pledged to explore avenues for providing the necessary expertise.
Infrastructure development was another key topic during the meeting. The Minister sought U.S. support for solar-powered cold storage facilities to help preserve fish stocks, reduce waste, and improve the overall efficiency of the supply chain. In addition, modernizing fishing ports was identified as a priority area to enhance operational capacity and boost Sri Lanka's export potential.
The discussions were attended by Dr. B.K. Kolitha Kamal Jinadasa, Private Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries, and senior officials from the U.S. Embassy in Colombo.