A group of Representatives from the European Union including the European Union Ambassador to Sri Lanka Mr. Denis Chaibi met the Fisheries Minister on 2023-05-24 at the Ministry of Fisheries.
At the meeting, Minister Douglas Devananda stated that his ministry is taking measures to introduce a new Fisheries Act in order to stop informal and illegal fishing activities for a sustainable Fishing Industry. The Minister added that, currently, the ministry has achieved remarkable progress in this process, and a copy of the Draft Act will be presented to the European Union. The Minister made aware of the Ambassador, regarding the changes and the new regulations introduced for the sustainability of the Fishing Industry, and regarding this matter, an important discussion was held. Expressing views further, the minister stated that the Government of Sri Lanka hopes to act in accordance with the International Convention for Fishing Industry, and this new Fisheries Act and the Regulations will be passed in Parliament very soon. The Ambassador of the European Union Mr. Denis Chaibi thanked and praised the Minister and the Sri Lankan Government in this regard.
The Ambassador of European Union commended the assistance provided to prevent informal and illegal fishing activities and to operate fishing activities more efficiently through the Vessel Monitoring System ( V.M.S ) in Sri Lanka, with the aid of the Australian Government. The Ambassador further stated that this system will be an advantage to the improvement of the Fishing Industry and the European Union will provide its assistance to the development of the Fishing Industry in Sri Lanka in the future as well. At the meeting, it was stated that 40% of the fish production of Sri Lanka is exported to the countries in the European Union with G.S.P tax concession.
Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries Mrs. Indu Rathnayake, Director General of Fisheries Department Mr. Susantha Kahawaththa, Additional Secretaries to the Ministry of Fisheries Mr. Dhammika Ranathunga and Mr. Namal Thalangama, and a group of Officials attended this event.
