The Ministry of Fisheries officially announced on 16th of October that a massive exhibition titled "Aqua Planet Sri Lanka 2025" (International Aquatic Expo) will be launched with the aim of revitalizing the fisheries and aquaculture industry in Sri Lanka.
The exhibition is scheduled to be held at the Lotus Tower premises in Colombo on 21st, 22nd and 23rd of November 2025, coinciding with World Fisheries Day.
The media conference which officially announce this national program was held at the Auditorium of the Ministry under the patronage of the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Mr. Ramalingam Chandrasekar. Even the Director General of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Susantha Kahawatte, and the Chairman of the National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA), Kithsiri Dharmapriya, were present on the occasion.
Speaking at the event, Minister Chandrasekar emphasized the government's commitment to reestablish the fishing industry, which had faced severe challenges in the past. "When we take over the government, thousands of vessels were landed and the entire fishing industry had collapsed. But we gave a new lease of life to this industry by intervening as a government through providing fuel subsidies and sending those vessels back to sea. Our ultimate goal is to make Sri Lanka a regional fishing hub. 'Aqua Planet 2025' is an open platform to everyone, from small fishermen to large-scale exporters. He stated that through this, we are laying the foundation to accomplish that vision by demonstrating the potential of our country to the global community".
Elaborating on the programme of the exhibition, Director General of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Mr. Susantha Kahawatte said: "This grand exhibition consists of two main sections. The ornamental fish section, which is led by the Aquaculture Development Authority, and the section covering the entire fisheries industry, which is led by the Department of Fisheries. In parallel, we have made arrangements to issue a commemorative stamp, hold an international workshop of the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organization (BOBP-IGO), and operate a special platform that will introduce investment opportunities for local and foreign investors."
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the National Aquaculture Development Authority, Kithsiri Dharmapriya, said, "This exhibition is the beginning of a long journey. We hope to educate everyone from school children through concepts like 'A fish tank for every home', and double our ornamental fish export income, and turn 'Sri Lankan ornamental fish' into a global brand."
At this media briefing, the Ministry, which introduced the official logo and launched website (www.aquaplanet.gov.lk) related to the exhibition, extended even an open invitation to the public to join this national mission.
