The Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved a Rs. 8.32 billion recovery program to restore infrastructure and essential services in fisheries and aquatic resources sector following the widespread destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
As per the Government, the cyclone inflicted severe damage on fisheries infrastructure, aquaculture facilities, fishery harbours, and other assets managed by key institutions in the sector.
Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said the total estimated losses across the National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA), the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation, and the Ceylon Fishery Harbours Corporation amount to Rs. 9.50 billion.
‘In response, the affected institutions have identified 18 priority reconstruction projects with a combined estimated value of Rs. 8.32 billion to rehabilitate damaged infrastructure and restore services critical to the fisheries industry,’ he said at the weekly post-Cabinet meeting media briefing on Tuesday.
He said under the approved program NAQDA will implement 10 projects at an estimated cost of Rs. 7.01 billion, focusing on restoring aquaculture infrastructure and related facilities.
The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources will undertake seven projects valued at around Rs. 1.29 billion to rehabilitate damaged fisheries infrastructure and improve service delivery.