The following points were discussed at a discussion held on (28) at the auditorium of Ministry of Fisheries between the Secretaries of the Provincial Ministries of fisheries and the Heads of the Institutions of the Ministry of Fisheries which governs by the Central Government under the patronage of the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Ramalingam Chandrasekar, and Deputy Minister Rathna Gamage.
In this meeting, extensive discussions were held to boost the fisheries industry jointly and effectively between the Ministry of Fisheries and the Provincial Ministries of Fisheries. Further, attention was also drawn to the services that can be provided by the institutions under the Ministry of Fisheries which is governed by the Central Government to boost the fisheries industry at the provincial level.
Minister of Fisheries, Ramalingam Chandrasekar stated that the Ministry of Fisheries is moving forward under a new program and expects to prepare and implement joint plans with the Provincial Councils.
The Minister of Fisheries said that the fisheries industry can achieve a great progress through the implementation of a joint program by the Central Government and the Provincial Councils pointing out that a huge amount of money has been wasted in the country at past due to the implementation of two separate programs related to the fisheries industry by the Central Government and the Provincial Council. Hon.Mr.Ramalingam Chandrasekar stated that nothing can be done individually to develop a country and that a rich country, beautiful life (pohosath ratak lassana jeevithayak) can be created by joining together at the individual and institutional levels.
At this occasion, Deputy Minister of Fisheries Rathna Gamage stated that the funds allocated to the Ministry of Fisheries in the 2025 budget have been increased by 62.85% compared to previous years.
Even the importance of the working in collaboration with the Central Government and provincial councils as well as the Ministry of Fisheries, which governs by the central government and provincial council ministries of fisheries to boost the fisheries industry,y was discussed.
Further, the Deputy Minister has stated that institutions such as the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Fisheries Corporation, NARA Institute, NAQDA Institute, Cey-Nor and NorthSea Institute are committed to work together for programs implemented at the provincial council level.
It is informed that institutions such as NARA and NAQDA, which governs under the ministry, are ready to provide research and technical advisory services. It was stated that efficiency can be increased by coordinating the production and distribution of fishing equipment by Cey-Nor and NorthSea institutions with the provincial councils.
The heads of institutions under the Ministry of Fisheries and secretaries of provincial ministries of fisheries and other officials participated in this discussion.
