Rs 120 m spent for Galle fisheries development

Ridma Dissanayake

The government spent around Rs 120 million for the development of the fisheries sector in the Galle district with the assistance of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) programme being implemented under the Post Tsunami Coastal Rehabilitation and Resources Development Project, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne said.

The Fisheries Ministry commenced six new projects in Galle for which over Rs 30 million was spent. Brahmanawaththa, Balapitiya Community Hall has been renovated spending Rs 2 million while 12 roads have been reconstructed spending Rs 15.5 million. The minister opened the newly built Samurdhi Bank in Rajgama, Children's Park in Modarawatta, Balapitiya and Marketing Centre for Small Enterprises and Madampagama Market recently.

He also granted loans to persons involved in small enterprises with IFAD assistance.

Addressing the opening ceremonies of these projects, the minister said arrangements are in place to grant special training to fishermen islandwide to get involved in fishing activities using modern equipment and technology.

"President Mahinda Rajapaksa has paid vital attention to the development of the fisheries sector in the Mahinda Chinthana future vision. The fishing community has a very important role to play in the country's development process," Dr Senaratne said.

Galle District MP Mohan P de Silva, IFAD programme's national coordinator D Prathapasinghe and Galle district IFAD programme manager Sampath Perera were also present.