‘Ornamental fish industry showing progress’

Ridma Dissanayake

The ornamental fish industry in Sri Lanka has shown a progress of 25 percent during the last year with the assistance of National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA), FIsheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said.

Minister Senaratne was addressing the prize giving ceremony of the “ Min Visituru 2012” held at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre (SLECC), recently.

Sri Lanka’s ornamental fish industry has a long history. It begun to export ornamental fish from 1930.

Sri Lanka earned Rs. 28 million through ornamental fish exports in 1980s. It has developed step by step and ornamental fish exporting earned Rs. 593 million, Rs. 756 million, Rs. 888 million, Rs. 906 million and Rs. 979 million respectively in year 2000, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009, he added.

During last year the country earned Rs. 1112 million through ornamental fish exports and it can be pointed out as a vital development of the Sri Lankan ornamental fish industry, the minister stated.

The minister distributed certificates and cash prizes to ornamental fish industrialists who took part in the Min Visituru exhibition.

The exhibition stall of the Aqua Marines International organized by Ananda Pathirana had been selected as the best stall and the stall of Vishard Aquarium Institute had been selected as the best local stall of the exhibition.

Over 30,000 persons have visited this exhibition during the three days. NAQDA Chairman Jayantha Chandrasoma and Director General Nimal Chandraratne also participated.