Rs 110m for Kalutara fisheries development

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry had allocated Rs 110 million for fisheries development programmes in the Kalutara district for 2010-2011.

Projects valued at Rs. 74 million have been completed and bestowed upon the public, said Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne.

He was addressing the opening ceremony of the community centre in Kalamulla, Beruwala.

The Post-Tsunami Coastal Rehabilitation and Resource Management programme under the purview of the ministry had funded this community centre. Rs. 1.8 million had been spent on this project and Rs. one million had been spent on infrastructure facilities.

Fisheries projects valued at Rs 10.3 million were also provided to fisheries communities in Kalamulla, Beruwala.

Over 1,000 fisheries community will benefit through these development projects.

Rs. 2.5 million worth of loans have been provided to the fisheries families in the Kalutara electorate under the Diyawara Diriya loan scheme while Rs. 590,000 was provided to the Kalamulla fishing community under this loan scheme.

"We have provided loans, fishing equipment and vessels to over 700 fishermen. We also hope to provide technical knowledge to fishermen which is essential to develop the fisheries industry," the minister said.