Oruwella launched at ANCL:

National project for fisheries industry

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry has started a national project to develop fisheries industry in Sri Lanka in line with the Mahinda Chintana Future Vision. Sri Lanka's fishery industry was at the lowest stage during the last few years. Now there is a vast development in this sector, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne said.

Minister Senaratne was speaking at the Oruwella a monthly newspaper launching ceremony at the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL) yesterday. This newspaper is launched by the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry with the ANCL. Oruwella will be published on the second Friday of every month.

The Minister said the Fisheries industry is one of the most important industries in Sri Lanka. The Fisheries Ministry will give a respectable place to the fishery community in the near future. They have done much for the development of Sri Lanka," he added.

He noted that the fisheries industry will be developed as it earns 50 percent of the country's economy.

"We will open Asia's best and largest fish market on March 26. We hope to launch Sayura FM radio channel in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC). It will start on March 26 and will be broadcast from midnight to 4.00 am," the Minister said.

Oruwella newspaper and "Sayura FM" will be a boon to the fishing community. They have a huge responsibility to develop the fisheries industry in Sri Lanka, he noted. President Mahinda Rajapaksa was appointed the Fisheries Minister and he did a tremendous service to the fisheries industry. From that time there has a vast development in the fisheries industry, ANCL Chairman and Managing Director Bandula Padmakumara said.

The country's fishery industry is at a higher place. It is second only to tourism and agriculture industries, he noted.

"As ANCL Chairman I will give all assistance towards the development of the fishery industry and to make it a respectable industry," he said.

ANCL Editorial Director Seelarathne Senarath,General Manager Abhaya Amaradasa, National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) Chairman Hiran Jayawardhana, Ceylon Fisheries Corporation (CFC) Chairman Maheel Senarathne, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry's Secretary Dr Damitha De Soysa and Editors of ANCL newspapers also participated.