Minister awaits security nod to open Iranamadu tank

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

The Iranamadu tank in the Kilinochchi district where fisheries activities have been defunct for over a decade due to LTTE terrorism, will be opened soon for thousands of fishermen affected by its closure.

Iranamadu Tank, one of the largest reservoirs in the country, will be opened once clearance has been given by the security authorities, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry sources said.

The Iranamadu Tank has been a traditional fishing ground for generations of fishermen in the North. When the 57 Division of Sri Lanka Army took total control of Iranamadu Tank in January last year, there was a 300 metre long and 20 metre wide airstrip southeast of the 50 square kilometre tank, extending from the existing road parallel to its bund, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Rajitha Senaratna said he will take action to open the tank to be used by fishermen under the Ministry's Northern Province Accelerated Fishery Sector Development Plan.

This is as part of the programs afoot by the Ministry to increase its inland water bodies to 8,000 to boost the country's fresh water fish production, he said.

Minister Senaratna is discussing with security top brass to get permission to open the tank, Ministry sources said.

Kilinochchi fishermen requested Minister Senaratna to open the tank several weeks ago when they met him in Kilinochchi while he was on a visit to inspect fishery activities in the North.

He promised Kilinochchi fishermen that he will open a section of the tank without delay with the authorities' permission.

Minister Senaratna also distributed motorized fishing vessels, traditional fishing boats, bicycles, fishing equipment including outboard engines and fishing nets worth Rs 24,700,000 among displaced fishermen in Mullaitivu, Vavuniya and Kilinochchi.

World Vision Sri Lanka supported the Ministry, sources said.

Minister Senaratna explaining his plans to develop inland fisheries said he expects to save several billions of rupees by promoting a sustainable fresh water fish industry.

"Sri Lanka has reservoirs and ponds covering about 307,000 hectares that could be used for fresh water fish culture," he said.

"I plan to make use all inland water bases by 2014 to boost fresh water fish production to save several billions of local currency spent on fish imports," the Minister said.

"We export fish to the value of Rs 21 billion and import fish worth Rs14 million. I expect a considerable contribution from local inland fisheries to cut down imports," he added.