Deepening and Cleaning Lagoons

Increasing aquaculture production through conservation and development of aquatic environment in lagoons and reservoirs being the main strategy, project for development and conservation of lagoons was initiated in 2018 with the aim of increasing fisheries and aquaculture production.

Development of infrastructure facilities aimed at increasing natural fish population by deepening the canals for there to be proper cleansing and exchange of water in the lagoon, development of aquaculture, minimizing post-harvest losses, demarcation of lagoon boundaries which helps conservation by preventing unpermitted encroachments and reclamation, development of livelihoods, conservation of mangroves, keeping off banned fishing gear, strengthening lagoon management and increasing by stocking fingerlings are the main objectives of this project. The goals of generation of new employment opportunities and expansion of tourist industry are expected to be realized through this project. Following projects are due to be implemented under this programme be fisheries and aquatic resources department, National Aquaculture Development Authority, National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency, Ceylon Fishery Harbours Corporation together and in coordination with other government organizations by getting Rs. 250 Mn allocated for this project for the year 2023.

• Preparation of Master Plans for 11 lagoons – Preparation of specifications, estimates and BOQs to remove silt in Arugambay Lagoon.

• Removal of silt in Arugambay Lagoon.

• Conducting preliminary environmental studies for Nayaru Lagoon and cleaning the lagoon.

• Conducting preliminary environmental studies for Lanka Patuna Lagoon and cleaning the lagoon.

• Cleaning Nandikadal Lagoon.

• Demarcation of boundaries in selected lagoons.

• Increasing fish production in 10 selected lagoons.

Development of Negombo Lagoon

This project is implemented under 3 stages 07 packages are active under stage I. The total cost for 07 packages in stage I is Rs. 1000 Million.

• Package I – lagoon Development in Lellama area - The dredging of the basin at Lellama site under package I commenced on 14.05.2016 and the project was completed on 14.02.2017

• Package II – Lagoon Development near Court Complex - The dredging of the lagoon near court complex under package II commenced on 01.08.2017 and the project was completed on 14.02.2017.

• Package III - Development of lagoons in Queen's Road area - The dredging of the lagoon near Queens Road under package III commenced on 20.07.2018 and the physical progress of the project by now is 90%. 

Reasons for the delay - A case has been filed under clause 20 (1) of the forest conservation ordinance citing that a damage has been caused to mangrove environment due to piling sediment removed from the lagoon at the project boundary until getting dried when implementing the 3rd stage of the project. (3rd stage of the project) Disposal of silt sediments which have been piled at the project boundary until getting dried is due to be commenced when Negombo Police provides enough protection.

• Package IV - Lagoon Development in Lellama area - The dredging of the basin at Lellama site under package IV commenced on 26.03.2015 and the physical progress of dredging by now is 100%.

• Package V - Construction of the jetty at Lellama area - 265m long and 15m wide jetty is constructed under package V. Bidding document is being prepared at the moment for calling of bids.

• Package VI - Construction of the Jetty near court complex - 145m long and 15m wide Jetty is constructed under package VI. The preparations of the plans have been finalized by now and the bidding document is being prepared for calling of bids. Procurement activities are scheduled to be carried out to select a contractor.

Construction of Wellamankara Fishery Harbour

This project was concluded on 15^th March 2022 and it comprises the following items.

• Breakwater – (567 Meters)
• Construction of the Groyne –(125 Meters)
• Construction of the Jetty -350 Meters
• Shore facilities: fish auction hall, net mending hall, restaurants, sanitary facilities, auction hall, shopping building, staff hostel, office, accommodation facilities and drinking water tanks for fisheries inspector and Coast guards

Commencement of the Project : 2018.06.25

Project Value : Rs. 2,498 Mn.

Financial Progress of the Project :

Physical Progress :

The construction works of the Wellamankara Fishery Harbour was completed 15.03.2022 and it was handed over to Ceylon Fishery Harbours Corporation on 18.06.2022.

Construction of the Gandara Fishery Harbour

Following items are constructed under this project.

• Construction of the breakwater (257Meters)
• Construction of Jetties (175.63 Meters, 221.12 Meters & 127 Meters )
• Shore facilities: Fish Auction Hall, net mending hall, restaurants, sanitary facilities, shopping building, staff hostel, office space for fisheries inspector and coast guard unit, accommodation facilities, pumping station, garbage collecting center, weigh bridge, fuel dispensers and water tanks are to be constructed.

Commencement of the Project: 2020.12.07

Completion of the Project: 2023.12.06

Project Value: Rs.9,360 Mn.

Financial Progress of the Project :

Physical Progress :

It was decided to continue only the offshore construction works of the Gandara Fishery Harbour Construction Project and temporarily withhold the building construction works. The project programme was revised accordingly. The expected physical progress of Gandara fishery harbour construction project was 83% as at 31.12.2022 and its physical progress was 60%.

Construction of Balapitiya Fishery Harbour

Following items are constructed under this project.

• Construction of the breakwater (418 Meters)
• Construction of the breakwater (North) ( Meters125)
• Construction of the jetty (125 Meters)
• Shore facilities: fish auction hall, net mending hall, restaurants, sanitary facilities, auction hall, shopping building, staff hostel, office and accommodation facilities for fisheries inspector and coast guard unit and water tanks are scheduled to be constructed.    

Project Value:1,200 Mn.

Physical Progress :

Procurement activities are scheduled to be commenced after receiving approval for environmental impact assessment report.

Construction of the Mawella Anchorage

construction of 260m long breakwater and construction of offshore two breakwaters

Commencement of the project: 2020.10.20

Project completion date (expected): 2022.10.31

Project value: Rs.379.8 Mn

Financial progress of the project:

Physical Progress :

Based on the instructions issued under No. 03 in respect of the implementation of projects embodied in national budget circular No. 03/2022 dated 26.04.2022 captioned “controlling public expenditure“, Department of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resources Management has informed not to proceed with further construction and observe changes in the beach profile.

Physical progress of Breakwater construction in Mawella Anchorage construction project is 100%.

Construction of Kalamatiya Fishery Harbour

Construction of Kalamatiya Fishery Harbour commenced on 14.07.2022 and the physical progress of that project is 100% by now. The initial value of the project is Rs. 1,280.79 Mn.

Some construction works which were not in the original contract but required for operational tasks have been carried out. The harbour has been handed over to Ceylon Fishery Harbours Corporation on 18.06.2022 for operations.

Construction of Rekawa Anchorage

Construction of 300m long Breakwater and Groyne

Commencement of the Project: 2020.10.20

Completion of the Project (Expected): 2022.11.08

Project Value: Rs.490 Mn. (revised)

Financial Progress of the Project:

Physical Progress:

The physical progress of Rekawa Anchorage Construction Project is 100%.

Oluvil Fishery Harbour

Oluvil Fishery Harbour commenced in the Year 2013 and it remained unused for 9 consecutive years. Construction of relevant infrastructure facilities was implemented as a national project and infrastructure facilities having been constructed for the development of fishery industry, its maintenance and provision of services have been undertaken by Sri Lanka Ports Authority.

According to the Cabinet Memorandum No. AMP/21/1574/311/023 dated 23.08.2021 and the decision dated 22.09.2021, the fishery infrastructure facilities of the Oluvil Harbour has been transferred to the Ministry of Fisheries. Its processing factory having been deserted for more than 09 consecutive years after construction, it is a national requirement to bring it back to operational level and use it as a means to generate income and new employment opportunities.

In compliance with the government policy not to be a financial burden to the government, suitable investors will be selected for the development and productive use of the infrastructure and recommencement of the operational tasks in this fishery harbour premises.

Fish Processing Units

This Processing Centre, which was completed in 2013, has its machinery outdated or defunct and they have to be repaired for commencement of production processes. Cabinet approval has been granted for TESS Private Ltd., which is a leading tin fish producing company, to undertake repairing machinery in the Fish Processing Unit and refurbishment of buildings, installation of new machinery and commencement of production on the basis of ten-year lease and work in this regard is underway. The objective of this project is to generate new employment opportunities and earn foreign exchange through imports while maintaining international standards in industrial operations.

Commencement of Operational Tasks

The Fishery Harbour has been rendered totally unusable with the closing of harbour mouth in the year 2014. Ampara Deep Sea Mechanized Vessel Owners’ Fisheries Cooperative Society has submitted a proposal for maintenance and conduct of operations of the Oluvil Fishery Harbour and preparation of a report of recommendations by an Evaluation Committee is on its final lap. Considering this proposal and specially the fact that this society is a community-based organization representative of the people in the area, final draft of the committee report is under preparation recommending to the Secretary to the Ministry that maintenance and conduct of operations of the Oluvil Fishery Harbour be assigned to Ampara Deep Sea Mechanized Vessel Owners’ Fisheries Cooperative Society Ltd. for a certain period of time subject to following a proper procedure.

Suitable Development Projects that can be undertaken around the Harbour and the requirements have been identified and Expression if Interest (EOI) will be called for the implementation of such projects under Public Private Partnership system.

Implementation of Projects – (Development Section)

Name – Mr. H. M. K. J. B. Gunarathne

Designation – Additional Secretary (Development)

Telephone Number – +94 112 446 202

Email address – kapilajb[at]gmail.com

Name – Eng. K.K.A. Piyasena

Designation – Director General (Engineering)

Telephone Number – +94 112 329 979

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Inquiries about the Projects

Name – Mr. W.M.R.D. Peiris

Designation – Assistant Engineer

Telephone Number – +94 112 322 416

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Name – Ms. A.G.D.H. Jayawardhana

Designation – Development Officer

Telephone Number – +94 112 441 537

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