With the aim of rebuilding the livelihoods of fishermen in the Trincomalee District who were affected by Cyclone Ditwah that occurred last year, a ceremony to provide 19 fishing boats under a financial allocation of Rs. 13.5 million was held yesterday (13) at the Trincomalee District Secretariat.

The event, organized by Trincomalee District Secretary W.G.M. Hemantha Kumara, was attended by Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Ramalingam Chandrasekar, and presented the fishing boats to the affected fishermen.

This initiative has been implemented as a measure to provide the necessary assistance to fishermen who lost their fishing boats and equipment due to Cyclone Ditwah and faced severe difficulties in terms of their livelihoods. Through this, affected fishermen have been given the opportunity to resume their fishing activities and strengthen their livelihoods.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra, Trincomalee District Member of Parliament Roshan Akmeemana, Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Dr. B.K. Kolitha Kamal Jinadasa, and Director General of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Susanta Kahawatta also participated in the event and presented boats to the beneficiaries.

Furthermore, fishery harbour officials of the Trincomalee District, representatives of district fisheries societies, government officials, and a large number of members of the fishing community also participated in the event.