Rs 50 m boost for fisheries industry

Ridma Dissanayake

The government has already spent Rs.150 million for the development of the fisheries industry in the Kalutara District and has allocated another Rs. 50 million for further development of the industry during this year, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr. Rajitha Senarathne said.

No previous government has performed such a great service for the fisheries industry's development as the present government. This government has introduced life insurance schemes and loan schemes to the fisheries community with more benefits under low interest rates, he added. Minister Senarathne was addressing the “Diyawara Sawiya” cheque distributing ceremony held at the Kalutara District Secretariat recently.

“The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry has distributed Rs. 3.5 million among 63 women in Kalutara, along with the Post Tsunami Coastal Rehabilitation Programme. This will be of immense support to the fishing community to develop their self employment projects. Earlier Rs. 7.3 million was distributed among 143 beneficiaries in addition to providing fish boxes, ice boxes and equipment valued at over Rs. 2 million essential for the fisheries industry” the minister said.

Kalutara Provincial Council Member Piyal Nishantha, International Funds for Agricultural Development (IFAD) National Coordinator D. Prathapasinghe and IFAD project's Kalutara District Manager Neil Munasinghe also participated.