A special progress review meeting of the Ceylon Fishery Harbours Corporation was held on 13th of October under the patronage of the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Ramalingam Chandrasekar, and Deputy Minister Rathna Gamage with the aim of resolving the delays and administrative problems in the services provided to the fishing community and making all fishery ports efficient and attractive centers.
The Chairman of the Ceylon Fishery Harbours Corporation, B.A.P. Kapila Bamunuarachchi, along with managers and senior officers representing all fisheries ports in the island, participated in this event.
Speaking at the event, Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar stated that:
"At a time when the government has been in power for a year, unnecessary delays in providing services to the public are unacceptable. I emphasize the urgent need to prevent all these delays and provide efficient, regular and systematic services to the fishing community,".
Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister Rathna Gamage pointed out the importance of creating an immediate change that is felt by the fishing community. "More than long-term plans, fishermen need short-term solutions today. Our goal is to make all fishing ports clean, beautiful and attractive places within six months, before the upcoming Sinhala and Hindu New Year. We need to provide urgent solutions to the problem of sand deposits in ports like Kirinda, as well as waste management in all ports. Let us implement the program to remove unused boats starting from the Galle Port in all ports and make the concept of 'My Port, a Beautiful Port' a reality," he said.
It was also emphasized that the full commitment of all officers is essential to achieve these short-term goals by strengthening coordination between institutions and resolving problems in the procurement process.
