New market complex at Peliyagoda:

Fish trading under one roof

By Ananda KANNANGARA

Fish consumption in the country has increased to a greater extent. According to reports, fish and dried fish consumption has increased upto 95 percent in comparison with meat and meat related food items. It is also reported that the consumption of meat has drastically declined.

The increase in fish consumption could be the main reason for the Fisheries Ministry to broaden the industry by developing fishing harbours countrywide and also to help people in the industry to carry out business activities without any obstacle.

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne in an interview with Sunday Observer said his objective was to develop the country's fishing industry and provide fish to consumers at reasonable prices.

Minister Senaratne plans to expand the retail sales through countrywide Fisheries Corporation stalls. He has also taken steps to encourage the private sector fishing industry as private traders are also engaged in brisk fish business activities throughout the country.

St John's Fish Market, Pettah was established by few private traders during the colonial period and even today they carry out their business activities in a big way under one roof. A large number of people visit the market daily to buy fish at reasonable prices. People could buy a variety of fish from the market.

Considering the demand for fish, the Government decided to expand the Market. But due to lack of space, the plan did not work out.

This prompted the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry to shift the 150-year old market to a more spacious and convenient location at Peliyagoda. The Peliyagoda Central Fish Market Complex (PCFMC) is located six km away from the former market.

Construction of the complex commenced in March 2009 on the directive of then Fisheries Minister Felix Perera. Then Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka laid the foundation stone for the complex.

The wholesale market

The new market complex

The new complex was built at a cost of Rs. 3.8 billion on a 3.17 hectare marshy land along the main Katunayake Airport expressway. The market, has 148 wholesale stalls and 126 retail stalls.The Government allocated Rs. 1.9 billion from the 2005 budget and other Rs. 1.9 billion was provided by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

A 25 mt ice factory, three cool rooms and a water purifying plant have also been set up in the complex. A large space is available to park about 500 vehicles.

President, PCFMC, Jayasiri Wickramaarachchi

The top floors of the complex has been allocated for the Bank of Ceylon and the Commercial Bank, while a shopping complex, post offices, a restaurant and a quality control room are also located in the complex.

The new computer technology system was opened at the complex on March 31 by Minister Rajitha Senaratne in order to control vehicles and also to monitor the on going activities at the new complex.

Customers from any part of the country could use the new computer system via the Fish Market website to obtain information about the current fish prices.

Minister Senaratne also said the Government has already established fisheries villages, oceanographic universities and introduced loan schemes with low interest rates to support fishing communities.

President, PCFMC, Jayasiri Wickramaarachchi said the new fish market complex was opened by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Minister Rajitha Senaratne on March 26 and the wholesale and retail business activities commenced yesterday.

Although, business activities at St. John Fish Market have been shifted to Peliyagoda, it will take a few days for traders and consumers to get accustomed to the new place.

The PCFMC expects over 150 lorries, 500 trishaws and about 300 motorcycles to come to market daily from all parts of the country.

In addition to sea fish, the PCFMC expects to transport inland fish from Embilipitiya, Udawalawe, Polonnaruwa, Lunugamwehera and Anuradhapura districts.

Wickramaarachchi also requested authorities to develop the highway network from Colombo to the Peliyagoda Fish market area and also a new railway line, so that traders could come to the fish market from distant areas.

According to him, the fish market starts business activities at 2.00 am daily and the wholesale dealers finish business around 10.00 am, while retail traders are engaged in business from 6.00am until 8.00 pm.

The Sunday Observer also interviewed several customers at the St. John Fish Market to obtain their views on the new complex.

D.R. Bandusena from Dehiwala said he was a regular customer and urged authorities to provide adequate transport services from Colombo to Peliyagoda since it will help both customers and traders.

Dharmasiri Wijeweera from Panadura requested authorities to establish a supermarket in the new complex to enable people to buy other commodities under one roof.

Gemunu Ratnaweera of Battaramulla said authorities should take to task traders who sell fish at short weight.