The ceremony to introduce payment facilities from now on through the Internet in joint collaboration with the Bank of Ceylon for export and import licenses issued by the Department of Fisheries for the export and import of fish other fishery products and other licenses including VMS technology issued for fishing vessels was held on 12.06.2023 under the patronage of Mr. Douglas Devananda, Minister of Fisheries and Mr. Piyal Nishantha, State Minister of Fisheries.
Minister of Fisheries, Mr. Douglas Devananda, the who spoke here, said that the aim of this digitization is to give the people the opportunity to make payments very easily, accurately and quickly through the system of cc of all government institutions, which is a concept of the President. He said that businessmen will have opportunities to get exports and imports processed quickly because of the efficiency of the system. Through the granting of such export and import licenses, the Fisheries Department receives over 45 million rupees and by granting licenses for VMS technology, the Fisheries Department receives over 120 million rupees from the owners of fishing vessels . He also stated that payments can be made from anywhere in the world with Visa and Master cards and foreign investors can make their payments very easily. Accordingly, as per the aspiration of the President, if the digitization of all government institutions departments and offices of our country is properly implemented very quickly, the country will move towards rapid development.
State Minister Mr. Piyal Nishantha, in his address said that the opposition will criticize the government no matter what the government does, and he requested the leader of the opposition to criticize the government if it makes any mistake and kindly request him not to criticize the development processes being carried out. by digitalizing all the payment activities of the Fisheries Department, in this way, together with the Bank of Ceylon, he said that a very effective service can be rendered to the fishing community. The Director General of the Department of Fisheries, Mr. Susantha Kahawatta and the Deputy General Manager of the Bank of Ceylon, Mr. Karunaratne also expressed their views.
A group of officials including Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries Ms. Indu Ratnayake, Secretary to the State Ministry of Fisheries, Mrs. Anusha Gokula, were present on this occasion.
