Sri Lankan fishermen held in Seychelles to be released

President Maithripala Sirisena said he was able to secure the release of all Sri Lankan fishermen arrested by the Seychelles for poaching in their waters, at bilateral discussions with Seychelles President Danny Faure.

The President was speaking at Miridiya Waruna 2018 awards ceremony at the BMICH, yesterday.

President Sirisena said the fisheries industry and fishing community of this country is a powerful force and the government will not allow it to be weakened at any time.

He also emphasised that the government will fulfill every responsibility towards the uplifting of the fisheries industry.

The present government has made greater effort to allocate more funds for the welfare of the fishing community than any other previous government.

The housing scheme launched for the benefit of the fisheries communities will be further strengthened, the President said.

A special scroll was handed over to the President by the rural fisheries’ organisations and the President said that he will take steps to fulfill all the requests listed in this document including enhancing fish production in reservoirs, obtaining equipment needed for the fisheries industry, obtaining state lands for farming of fish, deployment of officers for proper management of reservoirs and providing financial assistance for the development of infrastructure facilities required for the fishing industry.

This awards ceremony was organised by the National Aquaculture Development Authority of Sri Lanka in appreciation of the inland fisheries and aquaculture community of Sri Lanka which has made a remarkable contribution to develop this sector.

President Sirisena also presented ownership certificates of fishing boats and equipment to the fishing community.

A special award was presented to the President by the fishing community.

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Vijith Vijayamuni de Zoysa, State Minister Dileepa Wedaarachchi, Deputy Minister Ameer Ali, National Aquaculture Development Authority Chairman Nuwan Prasanna Madavanarachchi and others participated in the event.