Funds to develop fish landing centres

Mannar, Mullaitivu gets US $ 1.1 m:

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations on Tuesday signed a US $1.1 million (Rs 122 million) contract with Sanken Lanka to support the development of 11 fish landing centres, eight of which are in Mannar and Mullaitivu districts, plus the construction of a new office for the Mullaitivu Fisheries Department.

Implemented by the Canadian funded FAO Restoration and Improvement of Fish Landing Centres with Stakeholder Participation in Management Project, the work is being executed through the Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Development Ministry.

"We have over the last 18 months invested close to US $2.5 million to support construction work at 45 new or existing fish landing centres," he said.

The FAO Project aims to help support improvements in the management of the fisheries sector in line with the "Mahinda Chintana" program of the Government through not only the construction and upgrading of small-scale infrastructure but also through the training of Government officials and local fishing communities.

Business plans are also being prepared by the FAO Project, with the support of the FCCISL, for fishing communities to help ensure the sustainable use and management of the facilities under construction.

Work is expected to be completed at all the fish landing centres by August 2011.