Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2018-06-26

Obtaining of consultancy services for the implementation of the Northern Province Sustainable Fisheries Development Project

- The North and Eastern Regions cover around 2/3 of the coastal belt of Sri Lanka and the fisheries industry has been recognized as an industry which would contribute largely for the development of livelihoods of these areas. As such, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to provide financial assistance in a sum of US$ 158 million, for improving the infrastructure facilities essential for the promotion of the fisheries industry in those areas inclusive of the entire infrastructure facilities required. Under this, it has been planned to construct two (02) fishery harbours in Point Pedro and Pesalai and an anchorage at Mandaitivu in Jaffna as well. It has been also identified to improve eight (08) fishery ferries in the Jaffna and Mannar Districts, six (06) fishery landing sites in the Mullaitvu District and three (03) fishery ferries in the Kilinochchi District.

Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Vijith Vijayamuni Zoysa, the Minister of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources Development and Rural Economic Affairs, to take necessary action to select consultancy firms needed for the project implemented under three basic components namely, the construction and development of fishery harbours, anchorages and landing sites, and aquaculture and the livelihood development, was approved by the Cabinet.