The launch of the largest fishing vessel manufactured in this country by Danusha Marine was ceremoniously held on 3rd of March at the Dikovita Fishery Harbour under the patronage of the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Ramalingam Chandrasekar, and the Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development, Sunil Handunnetti.
Manufacture of this massive 24-meter fishing vessel on an order received from Somalia, which was in conformity with the international standards and modern technology, is a special factor. Danusha Marine company manufactures and exports fishing vessels to many foreign countries including South Korea, Kenya, Sweden and Norway.
On this occasion, Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Ramalingam Chandrasekhar has stated that the functioning procedure of the Ministry of Fisheries has been monitored very carefully over the past 3 months and that many institutions operating under the Ministry have encountered with a major setback in the past.
The Minister regretted that despite having 90% of skilled and experienced staff, their efficiency could not be utilized properly due to political influences. However, since good leadership has been received at present, all the staff of the Ministry are ready to serve efficiently and independently without political influence, the Minister further said.
He continued further that the country needs the emergence of talented entrepreneurs like Mr. Sumithra Fernando, Chairman of Danusha Marine Company. The Minister also emphasized that in the future, not only such fishing vessels but also large ships should be manufactured in the country.
Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development, Sunil Handunnetti who attended the event, pointed out that Sri Lanka is a country enriched with excellent human resources and even it is a unique country in the world in terms of it’s geopolitical location. Further, he stated that the production of such fishing boats will reveal to the world that Sri Lanka has the capacity to produce fishing boats and the Minister emphasized that the fishing boats produced in the country should be provided to the fishermen in the local fishing industry as the next step. He further pointed out that this program should move forward up to the production of local vessels without being stopped at this level and the technology should be further developed.
Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti, Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Ramalingam Chandrasekar, Chairman of Danusha Marine, Sumithra Fernando, Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Sampath Manthrinayake, Director General of the Department of Fisheries, Susantha Kahawatte and many other government officials have taken part in this largest fishing vessel launching ceremony.
