The Negombo District Fisheries Coordination Committee Conference was held yesterday (13th of June, 2025) at the Negombo Town Hall under the patronage of Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Rathna Gamage. Deputy Minister of Labour Mahinda Jayasinghe also participated in the event.
This series of meetings has been organised with the objective of identifying the problems of the fishing community and providing them with prompt solutions, and this was the fourth phase of this programme that started in Galle.
Key points that were discussed and decisions taken:
* Negombo Lagoon Crisis: The fishing community pointed out that the ecosystem of the Negombo Lagoon is being destroyed due to the dumping of garbage and waste by people and institutions around it, and an environment uncongenial for the life of the lagoon creatures has been created. They pointed out that the depositing of plastic, polythene and rubber layers under the water hinders oxygen production and fish growth.
* Response of the Deputy Minister: It was pointed out that the government has allocated Rs. 100 million for the development of the Negombo Lagoon, and in addition, the Ministry of Tourism has allocated Rs. 25 million for the same, and the requirement of establishing a 'Negombo Lagoon Development Authority' immediately. He emphasised that all parties, including relevant government and local government institutions, the police, the coast guard force, and the Tourism Board, should work under a joint structure to clean the lagoon. He also warned that illegal waste disposal and use of unauthorised nets should be stopped immediately and said that the police would strictly enforce the law regarding illegal activities.
* Issue of the Hamilton Canal: The fishing community explained that the Hamilton Canal has been severely polluted due to waste disposal by institutions and houses, and that the depth of the canal has decreased due to siltation, hindering boat traffic.
* Response of the Deputy Minister: He promised to conduct an immediate observation tour regarding this problem and provide prompt solutions based on a scientific study in collaboration with all relevant government institutions.
* Shortage of Modha (Cobia) fish fries: The fishing community pointed out that there has been a shortage of fries for Modha fish farming for the past two years. They said that the high price of locally available fry is unaffordable for aquaculture farmers and steps should be taken to import fries from foreign countries at a lower price.
* Response of the Deputy Minister: The Deputy Minister said that the possibility of importing fish fries from abroad is being explored. He said that the Department of Fisheries, through the intervention of the Ministry, will discuss this matter with NAQDA and the private sector and take steps to resolve the issue of providing fry at lower prices as a short-term solution as soon as possible. He also said that a subcommittee will be appointed to discuss with the Ministry of Finance regarding the increase in the price of fishing gear.
Deputy Minister Rathna Gamage concluded by stating that the government is committed to providing prompt and sustainable solutions to the challenges faced by the fishing community by continuously looking into the issues discussed in this meeting.
MP Stephanie Fernando, the Mayor, members of urban councils, officials of all institutions affiliated to the ministry, including the Ceylon Fishery Harbours Corporation, Ceylon Fisheries Corporation, Department of Fisheries, and relevant District Secretaries, Divisional Secretaries, Police, Coast Guard force, a large number of people representing the fishing community, fishing organisations and various institutions were present at this event.
