Diyawara Gammana re-launch to benefit fisherfolk

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Ministry will re-launch Diyawara Gammana, a program introduced by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, when he was the Fisheries Minister, to build homes for fisher folk in the coastal belt.

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Minister Rajitha Senaratna yesterday explaining his plans to develop the local fishing industry said , he will liberate Sri Lanka's territorial waters from the fishing mafia that has been hampering the overall development of local fishing industry by indulging in illegal fishing methods such as dynamiting.

"Special attention will be paid to monitor and to prevent poaching by foreign vessels that illegally catch fish in our territorial waters and smuggle them to their countries," he said.

Fisheries Corporation will enter the market to effectively control fish prices for consumers benefit, the Minister said.

Minister Senaratna said, he will re-launch Diyawara Gammana Fishing Village Project with a target to construct 100,000 houses for fisherfolk as a priority. He said, he has decided to start Diyawara Gammana fishing villages in Northern and Eastern provinces as well.

The Minister will assume duties this morning.

"I expect that giving houses to fishermen in the North and East will contribute to instilling confidence in the fishing communities in these areas and will uplift their living standards.

The Ministry will renovate existing fishery harbours while constructing new ones, said Senaratna.

Students in fishing villages will be encouraged to join the Sri Lanka's Ocean University, he added.