WhatsApp Image 2025 01 27 at 16.08.43Ramalingam Chandrasekar, Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, met with H.E. Akio Isomata, Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, to discuss ongoing and potential collaborations in the fisheries sector.

The meeting emphasized the strong bilateral relationship between Sri Lanka and Japan and highlighted key projects under Japan's grant assistance programmes.

The discussion reviewed the progress of a project for fishermen's safety, funded under the 2024 grant assistance programme with a budget of 200 million JPY. As part of this initiative, a petrol boat is being provided to Kankesanturai and a rigid hull inflatable boat to Trincomalee to enhance the safety of fishermen. The conversation also covered the enhancement of the cold chain for fisheries products, a project funded in 2023 with a budget of 200 million JPY. This initiative includes the installation of three ice-making machines at Jaffna, Mullaitivu, and Kinniya, as well as the provision of three refrigerated trucks for the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation (CFC) to improve the quality and storage of fisheries products.

Minister Chandrasekar requested Japan’s support for the development of fisheries harbors in the Eastern Province, including the establishment of modern storage facilities and the provision of technical assistance to improve infrastructure. Ambassador Isomata assured the Minister of his support and indicated that he would arrange discussions with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to formalize these initiatives through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Dr. B.K. Kolita Kamal Jinadasa, Private Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries, and Ohashi Kenji, First Secretary at the Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka, also attended the meeting.

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