A programme to distribute boats and fishing nets to fishermen affected by Cyclone Dithwa in the Jaffna, Mullaitivu and Mannar districts was held yesterday at the Cey-Nor Boat Yard premises in Karainagar.
The event was attended by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar, who officially handed over the boats and fishing nets to the beneficiaries.

Under the first phase of the programme, 32 fishing nets valued at Rs. 1.8 million and 18 fishing boats valued at Rs. 8.64 million were distributed.

Of the 18 boats, each valued at Rs. 480,000, 3 boats were allocated to the Jaffna District (2 to Delft and 1 to Karainagar), 13 boats to the Mullaitivu District, and 2 boats to the Mannar District.

The programme forms part of the government’s efforts to restore the livelihoods of fishermen whose fishing equipment and income sources were severely affected by Cyclone Dithwa.

Among those present were Jaffna Additional District Secretary Mr. K. Sivakaran, Karainagar Divisional Secretary Ms. Niranjana Navaratnam, Director of the Karainagar Cey-Nor Boat Yard Mr. Rohana Jeyalath, Chairman of Cey-Nor Boat Repair Company Mr. Vasanthamanaperuma, Assistant Director of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – Jaffna District Mr. Akilan, Assistant Director – Mullaitivu District Mr. Sudhakar, Assistant Director – Mannar District Mr. Rameshkanna, departmental officials, and beneficiaries.