Dikkowita fishery harbour on schedule

by Lalin FERNANDOPULLE

The fishery harbour in Dikkowita will be commissioned early next year, said Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Minister Rajitha Senaratne.

He said work on the project is progressing and the harbour would be commissioned as scheduled. The modern fishery harbour built on 11.5 hectares is constructed at a cost of Rs. 8.5 billion of which 38 percent is a grant by the Royal Netherlands Government.

The harbour is the largest in the country with facilities to develop the fisheries industry. Work on the harbour commenced early last year and is expected to be completed by March 2011.

The harbour will comprise a five-metre sea basin for vessels to enter, adequate anchoring facilities, cool rooms, fuel storage and other marketing facilities.

"The new harbour will help develop the fisheries sector, promote tourism and provide jobs to youth in the area", the Minister said.

He said the Ministry has obtained quotations to build three fishery harbours in the North and work on the projects will commence this year.