2027 Budget: President reviews fisheries growth, exports and community support plans

A discussion to review the progress of projects implemented under the 2026 budgetary allocations for the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources and to consider proposals for the 2027 Budget was held this afternoon (21) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The progress of recurrent and capital expenditure undertaken in 2026 by institutions under the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources was extensively reviewed. These institutions included the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR), National Aquaculture Development Authority of Sri Lanka (NAQDA), National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA), Ceylon Fishery Harbours Corporation (CFHC), Ceylon Fisheries Corporation (CFC), Cey-Nor Foundation Limited and the Central Fish Market Complex. Extensive discussions were also held on the progress of programmes being implemented to increase fish production and exports, ensure the protein requirements of the population and improve the living standards of the fishing community, as well as plans for 2027. The progress of major projects, including the Myliddy Fishery Harbour Development Project, development work at the Gandara Fishery Harbour, construction of the Rekawa Fishery Anchorage, and the modernisation and rehabilitation of the Karainagar Boat Yard, was also discussed. Attention was also given to the progress of research and development projects implemented under the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources and their funding requirements for 2027. The President also reviewed the progress of the programme to reconstruct fishery harbours destroyed by the Ditwah disaster and restore the livelihoods of fishing communities.He also reviewed the progress of the project being implemented under an allocation of Rs. 189 million to provide boats, fishing nets and equipment to affected fishing communities. Attention was also drawn to the progress of the programme implemented under the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative to recycle decommissioned boats and other fibreglass waste. Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Ramalingam Chandrasekar; Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando; Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Rathna Gamage; Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Chief of Presidential Staff Prabath Chandrakeerthi; Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma; Senior Additional Secretaries to the President Russell Aponsu and Kapila Janaka Bandara; Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Dr Kolitha Kamal Jinadasa; and officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources participated in the discussion.