President Directs Officials to Prepare Plans to Transform Fisheries into a Commercial Industry

28-Oct-2026

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The Government intends to develop the fisheries sector beyond a subsistence livelihood and transform it into a commercially viable industry. The Government is prepared to provide all necessary facilities to attract new investments into the sector.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake instructed officials to prepare and submit comprehensive plans for new initiatives to be implemented to develop the fisheries industry.

The President emphasised the need to formulate these plans with the objectives of increasing fish production and improving the income levels of fishing communities.

He made these remarks during a discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat on October 27, 2026, on the 2027 Budget proposals for the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources.

The Government is also focusing on measures to make fish products available to consumers at reasonable and affordable prices to reduce the cost of living. Proposals submitted by the Ministry of Fisheries in this regard were discussed at the meeting.

The discussion also covered the current state of the fisheries sector, the operations of the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation, the functioning of the Peliyagoda Central Fish Market Complex, the problems arising there, and the infrastructure facilities required.

Particular emphasis was placed on introducing technologically advanced vessels to develop deep-sea fishing. The possibility of preparing and implementing a plan to involve the private sector in this initiative was also discussed.

The President also paid special attention to the development of sustainable coastal infrastructure and green port development projects.

It was noted that Sri Lanka’s annual fish production stood at approximately 400,000 metric tonnes, of which around 40 per cent was lost or wasted. The meeting also discussed measures to reduce these losses.