A group of experts who work in the Fisheries sector in collaboration with the Indian Government visited Sri Lanka on the initiative taken by the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay. Accompanying the Indian Deputy High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Sathyanjal Pande, they met the Fisheries Minister, Fisheries Ministry, Fisheries Department officials and the representatives of NARA and NAQDA Institutes on September 23 and discussed the matters pertaining to the development of fisheries sectors in Sri Lanka.
After the meeting, they engaged in an observation tour for more than one week in the 15 fisheries districts countrywide and the districts where the freshwater fishing industry is being carried out and submitted a report containing the data and the observations to Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda and to the other higher officials on Monday (2) at the Fisheries Ministry.
They have submitted a report containing the measures to be taken such as rearing fish in cages, setting up breeding centres, and developing shrimp and sea cucumber culture, in order to develop fish resources in Sri Lanka. The representatives expressed views regarding the Indian aid and assistance in establishing Artemia culture. In particular, they have requested to submit a required plan to develop the fishing industry in Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts in the Eastern Province. They expressed views regarding the MoU to be signed between India and Sri Lanka in order to develop fish farming. The representatives pointed out that a large amount of foreign exchange can be earned through the culture of ornamental fish and measures should be taken to develop ornamental fish farming as well.
Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda said that the observation made by a group of Indian experts is extremely important and accordingly, he would take measures to prepare relevant projects on the basis of the observation report through the Fisheries Department, NAQDA and NARA institutes and submit it to the Indian Government. On behalf of the group of Indian Experts Dr. Bobly and Dr. Gowtham presented the report to the Minister.
State Fisheries Minister Piyal Nishantha and a group of officials including Fisheries Ministry Secretary Indu Rathnayake, Deputy Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Sathyanjal Pande, Fisheries Department Director General Susantha Kahawaththa, NARA Institute Chairman and NAQDA Institute Director General Dr. Asoka attended.