A USD 1.33 million (approximately Rs. 436 million) project aimed at restoring livelihoods and strengthening the freshwater fisheries sector in Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province was launched through an agreement signed at the Japanese Embassy in Colombo on May 29.
The project is funded by the Government of Japan with technical support from the Food and Agriculture Organization and is designed to support fishing communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah.
Key activities include installing 200 fish cages across 30 reservoirs, providing barrage net systems, upgrading the Inginiyagala Fish Breeding Centre, and conducting technical training programmes for fisheries associations.
The initiative also includes the free distribution of fish fingerlings and feed for the first cultivation cycle to help boost early production.
Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar said the project marks an important step in modernising Sri Lanka’s freshwater fisheries sector and improving fish production through advanced cage culture technology.
Japanese Ambassador Akio Isomata said strengthening freshwater fisheries is essential for Sri Lanka’s food security and reaffirmed Japan’s continued support for sustainable development in the country.
