Peliyagoda ultra modern fish market complex opens next month

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratna recently promised fish retailers at the St. John’s fish market in Pettah to be relocated in an ultra modern fish market complex in Peliyagoda, that their standards of living will improve once they move into the new complex.

Minister Senaratna said this during an inspection visit to St. John’s fish market.

He met the fish retailers in Pettah who are facing a move into a modern fish distribution and trade facility is found along in the Peliyagoda

The new facility will be opened next month. It has been built at a cost of Rs. 1,700 million in keeping with a budget proposal by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The facility is to be found in site in extent of 3.14 hectares along the Katunayaka expressway. The Asian Development Bank has provided Rs. 675 million for its construction.

Every retailer at the St.John’s fish market will get stalls at the Peliyagoda Fish Market.

The facility will be developed into Asia’s biggest fish distribution and trade centre, the minister said. The stalls will not be given to those who collect rent as payment to their stalls from homes, he emphasized.

“We will give stalls to those who directly engage in the trade,” he said.

Also to be benefited are those who support the business. We plan to introduce ways to improve their living standards, he said.