'Let us protect our harbours' project commences Feb. 25

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

The community based sustainable fisheries harbours development project - "Let us protect our harbours"- (Ape Waraya Api Rekaganimu) is to commence on February 25 from the Mirissa fisheries harbour in Matara under the patronage of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr.Rajitha Senaratne.

There are 18 fisheries harbours in Sri Lanka at present and all measures are in place to establish another 11 fisheries harbours to increase the country's fish harvest and uplift the livelihoods of the fisheries community, Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said.

The minister revealed these facts at a special press briefing at the Government Information Department yesterday.

"Maintaining fisheries harbours in the country in clean and attractive conditions are the main objectives of this harbour development programme and the fisheries ministry is to launch this special project along with the Ceylon Fisheries Harbour Corporation (CFHC)", he added.

"The ministry will maintain these harbours to meet international standards", he added.

'We hope that this project will also help to make a considerable contribution for the tourism industry", the minister said.

"The government has spent a large amount of money on the construction of these fisheries harbours", Minister Senaratne further stated.

This "Let us protect our Harbours," project will commence on February 25 and it will continue as a shramadhana campaign and will be implemented without using any government funds or CFHC.

The Fisheries Ministry,CFHC and fisheries community will participate in this Shramadhana campaign.

CFHC chairman Upali Liyanage,managing director Lal Samarasinghe and general manager P.P.G.Abeysekara also participated in this this press briefing.