A special field inspection was conducted today (11) by Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Rathna Gamage in the Palliyawatta area of Wattala, to seek solutions to a long-standing issue faced by fishermen in the area, which was raised at the Gampaha District Fisheries Coordinating Committee meeting.

Fishermen in the Palliyawatta area have been facing severe difficulties for decades due to the lack of a proper landing site for mooring their fishing vessels. At present, the fishermen land their boats along the Hamilton Canal, where the shallow depth of the canal and the presence of bridges make it extremely difficult to navigate the vessels. It was revealed that the livelihoods of around 750 fishing families in the area have been severely affected, particularly during the monsoon season, when they are unable to reach the sea through the river mouth.

Following the field inspection, the Deputy Minister emphasized that the Palliyawatta area is an environmentally and socially sensitive zone due to its close proximity to the Port of Colombo and the mouth of the Kelani River.

“When constructing a landing site with a breakwater here at the request of the fishermen, a formal scientific assessment of coastal erosion and the nature of the sea waves is necessary. Therefore, I have instructed the officials to conduct a feasibility study on this matter without any delay. We are also exploring the possibility of implementing this project in coordination with the existing Colombo City Development Plan and the Port Development Plan,” the Deputy Minister further stated.

There are more than 110 one-day fishing vessels (IDAY/IMUL) and nearly 300 small vessels (OFRP/NTRB) in the Palliyawatta area alone. It is expected that the development of this landing site will generate numerous new employment opportunities for both the established fishing community and the younger generation in the area. The Deputy Minister also inspected the current condition of the Lansiyawatta Fisheries Landing Site.

Gampaha District Member of Parliament Stephany Fernando, the Wattala Divisional Secretary, senior officials of the Ministry of Fisheries and the Fisheries Department, officials of the Coast Conservation Department and the Central Environmental Authority, as well as representatives of fishing societies in the area, also participated in the occasion.