Total revival of NE fishing soon

Shirajiv SIRIMANE

Sri Lanka can soon expect a total revival of the North East fishing sector with the relaxation of security measures.

Around 4,000 fishermen in Jaffna harvest 53,000 metric tons of fish per year. However, due to security precautions in 2008 the volume came down to 14,000 metric tons of fish while in the East the 72,000 MT fish yield had dropped to 22,380 MT.

However, in 2008 with the dawn of peace, fish production in the Eastern province increased to 61,000 MT. With permanent peace only a few days away the Northern fishing sector too is expected to get into top gear. New technology such as radio links are to be introduced in addition to the value chain from cool rooms, ice plants and freezer trucks being supplied. "A total physical distribution system is getting into place and there are many opportunities for the private sector to set up a fish canning factory as well," said Director, Economic Affairs of the Government Peace Secretariat, Rohantha Athukorala. Due to the 26-year conflict the North and East districts remain as the most underdeveloped regions in Sri Lanka and the Government is rightly focusing on development and bringing down the regional disparity.

The Government's Eastern development program under the Neganahira Navodaya development drive saw an investment of almost Rs. 75 billion into various sectors in the East so far, and a further Rs. 121 billion has been pledged by 2010.

These investments helped to increase paddy production to 717,869 MT at a growth rate of 4.1% and maize output increased to 17,655 MT whilst the Fruits Villages' concept has increased to almost 26 with 511 beneficiaries and 48,275 plants being issued under the program.

"More emphasis should also be given to Research and Development (R&D) and a stronger focus on the SME sector is vital."

"The current R&D investment is estimated at below 0.2% whilst we should invest at least 2.0% if we are to really unleash Sri Lanka's true potential," he said.

"Recent surveys indicate that the labour force participation is 50.3% at national level whilst in the North it had dropped to 33.8% and 40.3% in the East.

"The country must focus on a strong dialogue for economic development through policy reforms if we are to really "unleash the true potential of Sri Lanka." Sri Lanka is estimated to register a growth of between 2.5 to 4 percent this year, which is down from the earlier forecast of 6.0%. "Sri Lankans must understand that unless each of us put our shoulder to the wheel, we cannot get Sri Lanka back into the 7% plus GDP growth that we saw in 2006/7.

We also need to understand that if the country grows then we grow and this can lead to sustainable growth," he said.