The Sri Lankan government in its budget proposals for the next year has proposed to allocate over Rs. 2 billion to develop the island’s fishery industry. In his budget speech to parliament on Thursday, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said Sri Lanka’s fish and fishery related exports were around US$ 163 million in 2015 and there is significant potential to increase the export proceeds at least by 5 fold in the next 3 – 5 years, through the export of not only raw Crabs, Lobsters, Prawns Oysters, etc. but also through value addition, including canning and processing. The Minister proposed to allocate Rs. 500 million to promote Aquaculture Industry Zones in Hambanthota, Mannar and Batticaloa, and Rs. 1.2 billion to improve the fishery villages focusing on housing and livelihood development in 10 coastal districts, including Hambanthota, Batticaloa and Jaffna and also lagoon and coastal areas of the country. Pointing out that the development of the inland fishery industry will yield multiple benefits, including addressing the nutritional deficiencies, promotion of industries and creation of employment, the Minister proposed allocating Rs. 300 million to establish 100 Integrated Inland Fishery Villages under “Wewak Sahitha Gamak (A village with a tank) Programme” . To encourage the National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA) to expand their operations to support the industry better through the supply of adequate fingerlings in a variety of breeds, the Minister proposed to allocate Rs. 50 million. He also encouraged the National Aquatic Research Authority (NARA) to engage in research to support improved commercialization of the fishery industry. In his speech, the Finance Minister also said the government encourages the introduction of new technology to Multi Day Boats with the aim of improving operational efficiency and reducing post-harvest losses. To support the fishery industry further, he proposed the construction of a cold room with a capacity of 1,000 Metric Tonnes, on a PPP basis at the Dikowita Fishery Harbor. To uplift the infrastructure of fishery harbors and anchorages, the government has already allocated Rs. 1.35 billion and the Minister proposed an additional Rs. 100 million for the Gandara Fishery Harbor development project.
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