The official welcoming ceremony marking the vessel’s return to the island after a 32-day oceanographic research mission in Sri Lankan waters was held on Tuesday (05) at the Colombo Port Passenger Terminal under the patronage of the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Mr. Ramalingam Chandrasekhar.

The mission was jointly organized by the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA), with the support of the Government of Norway and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Its primary objective was to assess fish resources within Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), monitor marine ecosystems, and study the impacts of climate change.

Addressing the gathering, Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekhar stated, “The ocean is the lifeblood of Sri Lankan society. Yet, the secrets hidden beneath the ocean floor have remained largely unknown to us until now. Through the dedication and commitment of this research team over the past 32 days, we have developed a scientific roadmap for the future. At a time of growing environmental uncertainty, the data gathered through this mission will serve as a powerful tool in making informed policy decisions to protect both the fishing community and the marine environment.”

Speaking at the event, Vimlendra Sharan, Resident Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, highlighted that nearly 90% of the world’s fish stocks have depleted due to overfishing. He emphasized the importance of fisheries management based on scientific evidence rather than assumptions. He also noted that the project, valued at over US$ 1 million, enabled 16 Sri Lankan scientists — particularly young women researchers — to receive high-level international training, marking another major achievement of the initiative.

Among those present at the ceremony were Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries Dr. B.K. Kolitha Kamal Jinadasa, NARA Chairman Sanath Hettiarachchi, Dr. Nikolaos Nikolioudakis of the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research, along with a number of local and international officials and scientists.