Boats for Balapitiya fishermen

Richmond Wijesekera, Bentota group correspondent

AHUNGALLA: Food and Agricultural organisation donated 10 fishing boats to distribute among fishermen in Balapitiya. FAO Representative in Sri Lanka and Maldives, Dr. Poto Chumsri said at a ceremony held at Galwehera, Ahungalla, to distribute the fishing boats.

FAO is always trying to address household food security through various agriculture, fisheries and forestry programmes focusing on the improvement of rural livelihoods. The boats will be donated through the Saviya Foundation.

"The assistance has been donated by the Telefood Special Fund which is the FAOs grant scheme to fund small, self-contained agriculture, livestock and fisheries projects focusing poor families.

The projects which cost between US$ 5,000 and US$ 10,000 assist for inputs such as seeds and simple farming tools. Not a cent is spent on administration. FAO launched Tele Food in 1997. It is a campaign of concerts, sporting events and other activities to harness the power of media through celebrities and concerned citizens against hunger," he added.

Even though this assistance is very small, the impact is very impressive. These boats and other equipment such as fishing nets, bicycles and accessories worth more than Rs. 1 million will be helpful to improve these families,' Chumsri said.