India gifts 175 boats, fishing equipment to Mannar fishermen

India's assistance to the Sri Lankan people has evolved taking into account the immediate needs and requirements as articulated by the Sri Lankan Government. India's assistance which focused on emergency relief assistance towards the end of the armed conflict and in its immediate aftermath, gradually focused on the resettlement of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), said Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Ashok K. Kantha.

Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Ashok K. Kantha distributing boats and fishing nets to beneficiaries in the Mannar District.Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, Industries and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, Northern Province Governor G.A.Chandrasiri, Member of Parliament Hunais Farook, Musali Pradesiya Sabha Chairman W M Ehiyan and several others were also present on the occasion.

The Indian High Commissioner was speaking at a ceremony during a visit to the Mannar District on Sunday to hand over 175 outboard motor boats and 12 fishing nets to 350 beneficiaries. These boats have been gifted under the grant assistance of Government of India at a cost of LKR 71 million. High Commissioner Kantha said the subsequent requirements of re-construction are being addressed through the flagship Indian housing project, the Northern Railway reconstruction project and other infrastructural development initiatives. In parallel, several small development projects have been implemented to promote livelihood generation activities and the gifting of 175 fishing boats is part of the efforts to rejuvenate the economy of the Northern Province.

Given the importance of fishing as a prime livelihood generating avenue, the High Commissioner recalled that India had earlier gifted fishing boats and associated equipment to the fisherman in Vaharai in 2009. India is also working on the Project to strengthen the existing fishnet factory at Gurunagar, Jaffna by supplying equipment at a cost of LKR 152 million, which would result in substantial employment generation. The High Commissioner also used the opportunity of his visit to review the progress of Indian-assisted projects in the Northern Province. Kantha also said the pilot phase of construction of 1,000 houses has been successfully completed and the second phase based on owner driven model was launched on October 2, 2012.

He said Government of India has set aside adequate funds for this Project and it would be completed within three years. Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said the hallmark of Indian assistance was that all support to Sri Lanka has come in the form of grant assistance. He thanked the Government of India for implementing several livelihood projects, including the grand housing project involving construction of 50,000 houses for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

Industries and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen thanked the Indian Government for the continuous support extended to implement a variety of projects aimed at resettlement of the IDPs in the conflict-affected areas and restoration of their livelihoods.