Ministry to launch 'Let us protect our Harbours'

Ridma Dissanayake

All arrangements are in place to initiate the project - "Let us protect our Harbours" - from the last week of this month to maintain the 18 fisheries harbours in clean and attractive conditions, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr.Rajitha Senaratne said.

At present there are 18 fisheries harbours and the Fisheries Ministry will launch this project along with the Ceylon Fishery Harbour Corporation (CFHC).

The ministry has planned to maintain these harbours to meet international certification as well, he added. The minister was revealing these facts while addressing a special meeting at the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry, recently.

"As the first step we hope to commence cleaning activities in Mirissa fisheries harbour in the Matara district.

'We hope that this project will also help to make a considerable contribution for the tourism industry while receiving more attention from the both local and foreign tourists", the minister said.

The government has spent large amount of money on the construction of these fisheries harbours. But there is not enough management procedure for the harbours after the construction, Minister Senaratne further stated.

This "Let us protect our Harbours," project will be launched from the end of this month as a shramadhana campaign and will be implemented without using any funds from the government or CFHC. The fisheries Ministry,CFHC and fisheries community will participate in this Shramadhana campaign. CFHC Chairman Upali Liyanage and Managing Director Lal Samarasinghe also participated.