Vakarai fishermen get fishing gear worth Rs. 6m
VAKARAI: A stock of nets and other fishing gear valued at Rs.
6 million were distributed among 274 fishermen resettled in Vakarai at a
ceremony at the Vakarai Divisional Secretariat recently, on the
instructions of the President and the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
Minister.
Speaking on the occasion Vakarai Security Forces Commander Col.
Sudasinghe thanked President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Fisheries and Aquatic
Resources Minister Felix Perera and his staff for taking action to
strengthen the livelihood of the fishing community re-settled in Vakarai.
On the instructions of the President and the support of the staff of
all ministries, the Army played a leading role in re-settling displaced
people in Vakarai, he said.
Sudasinghe added that they had been able to rehabilitate the road
network in Vakarai with government support.
Arrangements are under way to provide electricity and water supplies.
The Vakarai Hospital has been re-activated by deploying additional
medical and other staff. Steps would also be taken to revive the
education sector by renovating seven out of 12 schools in the area
immediately.
Steps were also under way to provide books and uniforms to
schoolchildren in the area. People should extend their co-operation to
the Armed Forces to help streamline these activities.
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Ministry Secretary, G. Piyasena said
the Government's prime motive was to provide fishing gear and other
equipment to the fishing community in Vakarai to enhance its policy of
re-developing areas liberated from the LTTE clutches.
He said an anchorage, cold room and a purchasing centre would also be
set up in Vakarai soon to assist the fishing community re-settled in
Vakarai. |