Japan provides 30 freezer trucks worth Rs. 130 million for damaged fishery industry

COLOMBO: The Government of Japan handed over 30 Freezer Trucks worth Japanese Yen 148.22 million (approximately Rs. 130 million) to enhance the restoration of the fishing industry in tsunami affected areas, states a Japanese Embassy press release.

These Freezer Trucks will be utilized to transport fish harvest to market places in the Island. At present, the fishermen are unable to get a good price for their catch as most of the harvest either being sold for cheaper prices or spoilt due to lack of cold storage facilities and transport. The handing over of the freezer trucks would enable them to transport quality fish to market places thereby improving the income of the affected communities and also benefit people at large who will be able to consume fish of good quality and nutritional value.

These Freezer Trucks will be distributed to the tsunami affected fishery harbours throughout the country.

This assistance is a part of the Rs. 8 billion (US$ 80 million) provided under the Japanese Non-Project Grant Aid for relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction of a wide range of tsunami-affected sectors including fisheries, housing, power, roads, health, education and water and sanitation sectors.

Out of this total grant, Rs. 2 billion was allocated to the fisheries sector, considering the economical and social importance of the industry. The 2 billion rupees has being utilized for providing the much needed fisheries facilities such as freezer trucks, boats and accessories, ice plants, cold storage, reconstruction of Galle and Tangalle fishery harbours and other necessary inputs.

The Freezer Trucks were handed over by Hiroshi Karube, Minister/Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Japan to Felix Perera, Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources at a ceremony on July 17 at the Ceylon Fishery Corperation. E. Jinadasa, Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Jude Fernando Chairman, Ceylon Fisheries Corporation, Asanga Abeyagoonasekera, Chairman, Ceylon Fisheries Harbour Corporation, Yasuhiro Watanabe, Second Secretary, Embassy of Japan and other guests were present.