Diyawara Sawiya benefits fisher folk

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne presents a loan approval letter to a beneficiary. Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody is also in the picture.

The Diyawara Sawiya loan scheme was launched recently under the patronage of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne at the Hall D Galle auditorium.

The loan scheme was initiated to strengthen fisher families. About 2,100 fisher families affected by tsunami in seven districts will receive the Diyawara Sawiya loan to begin their self-employments.

Rs. 210 million has been allocated for this. Each family will receive Rs. 100,000.

The Post Tsunami Coastal Rehabilitation and Resources Management Programme which comes under the Fisheries Ministry together with International Funds for Agriculture Development (IFAD) project initiated the programme. About 300 families from each district will benefit.

The World Food and Agriculture Organization provides funds for the loan through the Bank of Ceylon and the People’s Bank under an interest rate of 12 percent. The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry will pay four percent of the interest.

Fisher families can use this loan to buy fisheries equipment, repair their vessels. They also can initiate self-employments, such as coir production and handicraft industry.

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody, Galle district MP Mohan P. de Silva, Southern provincial council member Diyaneththi, Hikkaduwa Mayor Winie Kariyawasam, Fisheries Department Director General Nimal Hettiarachchi, IFAD project Coordinator D. Prathapasinghe and Galle district IFAD Manager Sampath Perera also participated.