Attending a function held on 2023-12-14 at the Boat Building Yard belonging to CEYNOR institute located at Mattakkuliya, Minister of Fisheries Douglas Devananda stated that the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) renders a great service to Sri Lanka.
This function was held to deliver two specially designed fishing boats (SL20 and SL23) measuring 6.3 and 7 meters in length and 30 modified fish display stalls to the Ministry of Fisheries by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations with the funding of Norwegian Government, in line with FAO’s commitment to sustainable development and addressing climate change challenges. These boats made with light fiber, prioritize the safety of the fishers and are built to be capsize-resistant and withstand the challenges posed by climate change, including more frequent and intense storms and cyclones. CEYNOR Institute built these two boats and the measures will be taken to build more boats and popularize among the fishermen. In addition, 25 rafts (Theppam) were delivered to the Ministry.
Measures will be taken to issue these modified fish display stalls to retail fishmongers, since fresh and clean fish can be provided to consumers without direct contact of sunlight, flies and other environmental hazards. The Minister also stated that the building of these boats and fish stalls by CEYNOR institute with the support of FAO, is a constructive measure to ensure the safety of our fishermen and to uplift the quality of the fish in our fish stalls.
Expressing views at the function, state Minister of Fisheries Piyal Nishantha stated that a great service can be rendered to the country by working unitedly and a great service is rendered to the Fishing community through the work carried out unitedly by the FAO, the Norwegian Government, NARA institute and the Department of Fisheries.
Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries Mrs. Indu Rathnayake, Director General of the Fisheries Department Susantha Kahawaththa, FAO’s country representative Mr. Nalin Munasinghe also expressed views at the function. A group of higher officials from the Ministry of Fisheries, CEYNOR Institute and FAO organization attended the event.
