In The Press

Measures have been taken to allocate funds from the Port City project to develop Negombo lagoon since the pollution around the lagoon has badly affected the livelihoods of fishing community of the area, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry Sources said.

Following a request made by Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, Rs. 50 million will be allocated from the Port City project for this purpose.

This was revealed at the progress review meeting held recently at the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry with regard to the Livelihood Development Programme conducted by the Ministry with the intention of uplifting living standards of people depending on the fishing industry in the lagoon for their living.

Dumping waste substances into the lagoon has reduced the quality of ocean environment near the lagoon and that leads to unhealthy conditions for all marine organisms. As a result the fish stocks around the lagoon have also reduced, Ministry sources said.

The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry has also allocated Rs. 500 million for the Livelihood Development Programme.