Fisheries Ministry aids cyclone-affected fishermen

Cyclone Ditwah hit Sri Lanka’s northern coast, prompting the Fisheries Ministry to mobilize recovery aid for Jaffna, Mullaitivu, and Mannar. A special ceremony was held at the Sea Nor Boat Factory in Karainagar where Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar handed over equipment to beneficiaries. In the first phase of the programme, authorities distributed 32 fishing nets valued at Rs 1.8 million and 18 boats worth Rs 8.64 million, highlighting a targeted effort to restore coastal livelihoods after the disaster.

Each boat was valued at Rs 480,000, with three allocated to Jaffna (two on Delft Island, one in Karainagar), 13 to Mullaitivu, and two to Mannar. Attendees included Additional Government Agent K. Sivakaran, Karainagar Divisional Secretary Niranjana Navaratnam, Sea Nor Boat Factory Director Rohan Jayalath, and Sea Nor Boat Repair Company Chairman Wasantha Manapperuma. The ceremony underscored intergovernmental coordination and support from local businesses as the ministry moves into a second phase to complete broader relief efforts and rebuild fishing capacity in cyclone-affected communities. The programme aims to accelerate recovery ahead of the next fishing season.