In a special ceremony held recently at Nonagama Cultural Centre in Ambalantota in the Hambantota District, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Mnister Mahinda Amaraweera and Indian High Commissioner Taranjit Singh Sandhu jointly launched a project to provide livelihood support to nearly 70,000 people from the farming and fishing communities in the Hambantota District.
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Secretary Jagath P. Wijeweera, Ceylon Fisheries Harbours Corporation Chairman Amarananda Abeygunasekara, senior leaders from the Southern Province, government officials and a large number of beneficiaries attended the function.
The project envisages supporting livelihood activities by providing useful tools and equipment to the beneficiaries. In particular, 7,000 bicycles, 1,000 sewing machines and 60,000 grub hoes are being disbursed to beneficiaries. Ceylon Fisheries Harbours Corporation is the implementing agency for the project and the government of India has provided Sri Lankan Rs. 138 million as grant assistance for this purpose. It is expected that close to 70,000 persons and families will be able to improve their incomes and enhance their livelihood by this project.
Speaking on the occasion, High Commissioner Sandhu emphasised the importance of capacity building and recalled the numerous projects being implemented all over Sri Lanka with Indian assistance. He reiterated India’s readiness to continue to assist Sri Lanka wherever possible and whenever needed.
He highlighted the enormous strides made by India in the field of agriculture, and offered to share expertise and technical assistance in this sector. Minister Amaraweera thanked India for its support for this important project.
This project is in continuation of the government of India’s commitment to assist the government of Sri Lanka as part of the bilateral development partnership. India’s overall commitment for development assistance to Sri Lanka stands at a total of around US$ 2.9 billion, out of which US$ 545 million is pure grant assistance.