Over Rs.1,634 m to develop Batticaloa fisheries industry

Sivam PACKIYANATHAN, Batticaloa Special Corr

Fisheries Department District Assistant Director Domingo George said over Rs 1,634 million has been spent to improve and develop the fisheries industry in the Batticaloa district in the last four years. Rs 430 million was spent on the Valaichchenai fishing horbour and Rs 380 million on the construction of fisheries jetties at Palameenmadu, Vakarai, Kattankudy, Kaluwankeny and Kallar.

Large amounts of funds have been allocated under the economic development plan of the “Devi Neguma“ programme for the kerosene subsidy and conducting awareness programmes for fishermen. The Batticaloa district is estimated to have around 24,000 families engaged in the fishing industry.