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Sole aim to uplift conditions of fisherfolk- Minister Wijesekera

by Tissamaharama special correspondent

The Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources Mahinda Wijeskera said that the sole aim of his Ministry was to raise the living and financial conditions of the fisher community and make fishing a noble profession.

He said so addressing fisherfolks at Kalametiya and Kirinda fisheries harbour. The Minister attended a workshop at Kalametiya to obtain opinions of the fishing community at Kalametiya regarding the criteria that would make the proposed harbour productive to the fishermen using the harbour.

The Minister also obtained views of fisherfolk at Kirinda fisheries harbour about the removal of sand from the harbour which has posed a problem for the fisherfolk. The Minister said that fisherfolk in Iceland are so rich that every one of them possesses a house and a car. But our fisherfolk lead indebted lives. Seventy eight per cent of the income in Ireland is derived from the fish resource in the sea.

To raise the living financial status of the fishing community fish caught in Hambantota should he exported to India, France, Japan, China and other countries.

Tuna fish is sold in Sri Lanka at Rs. 150/- to Rs. 200/- but it fetches Rs. 750/- and Rs. 1000/- in Japan.

These sectors must have a proper coordination to develop fisheries harbour and fisher folk with the - Ministry and the relevant officials.

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