Boost for N-E fisheries industry

by Mohammed NAALIR

The fisheries industry in the North and the East is returning to the state of normality which prevailed in the region before the emergence of LTTE terrorism.

The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry targets the increase of the fish harvest in the North to 50 percent within the next two years, Ministry sources said.

Meanwhile, the Ministry has implemented various welfare programs in the North and the East to uplift the living standards of the fishermen.

As a first step 75,000 fingerlings worth Rs. 150,000 were released to the Udayarkattu reservoir in the Pudukudiyiruppu Divisional Secretariat Division recently.

Twenty fishing boats and 20 fishing nets worth a million rupees were also distributed among the fishermen in the area.

The Ministry intends to provide employment to 2,000 unemployed youth in the North on the completion of these development projects.

Ministry sources expressed confidence that the fish harvest could be increased to 50 percent in the North within the next two years.

The Government created a favourable situation in the North and the East, eliminating LTTE terrorism so that fishermen can carry out their livelihood without fear, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said.

Various countries are ready to extend assistance to Sri Lanka in this peaceful situation. The Karainagar boatyard is being developed with all facilities at a huge cost. A large anchor point will also be set up in Karainagar.