Six fisheries harbours for North

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

‘Arrangements are afoot to build six fisheries harbours essential to the Northern province with the financial support of the Norwegian government. Discussions regarding the construction is over. USD 100 million would be spent over these constructions,’ said Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne.

The Fisheries Ministry has spent over Rs. 2,000 million in the past few years after the conflict period and measures would be taken to reconstruct each and every harbour in the Northern province which were damaged by the war, he said. The minister was addressing the opening ceremony of the newly built Ceylon Fisheries Corporation’s (CFC) ice plant in Jaffna, recently.

The Japanese government had donated this ice plant to Sri Lanka and they have spent Rs. 34 million for this. This cool plant has the ability to manufacture around 10 tons of ice. There are two ice store rooms with the ability to store 10 tons of ice as well. According to the minister the constructions of Gurunagar and Silawathura fisheries harbours are to be completed with the financial assistance of the Denmark and Korean governments. The ministry plans to provide six freezer trucks to transport fish.

A 110 KVA generator valued at Rs. six million will also be provided to continue the service without any hindrance and fishermen engaging in the fishing industry in Kytes, Delft, Mannativu and Nainativu islands will receive more benefits through this ice plant.