Fuel stations coming up along Eastern Province :

Good time for fishermen after conflict end

Sivam Packiyanathan, Batticaloa special corr

The International Funding for Agriculture Development (IFAD) through the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry built a kerosene oil filling station worth Rs 12 million for fishing communities, at the fishing jetty in Palameenmadu in the Batticaloa district.

District Secretary and Government Agent P S M Charles commissioned the fuel station. Picture by Sivam Packiyanathan, Batticaloa special correspondent

District Secretary and Government Agent P S M Charles commissioned the fuel station as the Chief Guest while Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development District Deputy Director Domingo George pumped in the first sale to the beneficiaries as the special guest at the event.

Light House Rural Fisheries Organization of Palameenmadu President K Preman presided. George said nine fuel stations have been constructed along the coastal area of the Eastern province in Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara districts.

The first was commissioned in Mutur, the second in Palameenmadu and the third will be commissioned in Kattankudy where in addition to kerosene, diesel too would be available.

He said the fishing community, after the 30-year-conflict will benefit not only by the fuel station but also the relaxation of the rules and regulation will enable them to go in to the deep sea.

Manmunai North Divisional Secretary S. Giritharan, Regional Acting Manager of the Petroleum Corporation T. Ketheeswaran and several others also participated.