Development projects in Kalutara:

Jobs for over 5,000 youths

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

A large number of development projects will be established in the Beruwala electorate which will provide employment opportunities for over 5,000 youths in the Kalutara district, said Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne.

Accordingly, all youths in the Beruwala electorate will receive equal opportunities to earn an income by the end of 2012.

The minister was addressing the cheque distribution ceremony in Payagala, Beruwala providing funds to construct kitchens for 59 houses of the Suwandachchimulla tsunami housing project. The Post - Tsunami Coastal Rehabilitation and Resources Management Programme had allocated funds for this project through the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) under the guidance of the minister. Funds will be provided in five steps and one house will receive Rs.97,500. The total project cost is Rs 5.2 million. As the first phase of this project, the minister distributed Rs 10,000 worth cheques to each family.

"We have spent Rs 40 million on the development projects of the Beruwala fisheries industry and over 650 fisheries families are benefited," he said.

The National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA) has taken measures to establish a training institute to train ornamental fish farming using modern technology. Rs 8.1 million has been allocated for this project.