Japan donates dredger

The Japanese government will donate a Grab Hopper dredger valued at Rs.1250 million on a request made by the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr.Rajitha Senaratne.

The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry presented a feasibility report to the Japanese government last year under the guidance of Minister Senaratne for a dredger and the Japanese government agreed to grant this vessel.

A Japanese advisory committee comprising five members arrived to prepare another feasibility report and sign an agreement with the Fisheries Ministry.

At present Sri Lanka has a dredger named Ruhunu Putha which carries out dredging in all fisheries harbours in the country. It was provided by the Japanese government 23 years ago.

The new dredger has a capacity of 300m3 Hopper and has a larger capacity.

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry Secretary Dr.Damitha de Soysa, Finance and Planing Ministry Director General Mapa Pathirana,Ceylon Fisheries Harbour Corporation (CFHC) Chairman Upali Liyanage and Japan International Corporation Agency (JAICA) Advisory Committee Leader Tomoiro Ono signed the agreement at the ministry.

(RD)