Japan to grant dredger to keep Sri Lanka fishery harbhours open

Jan 16, 2013 (LBO) - Japan will grant a dredger to Sri Lanka's state-run fishery harbhour agency to keep navigational channels clear for fishermen, the Japanese aid agency said.









The Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) said a study team sent at Sri Lanka's request and officials of Ceylon Fishery Harbhour Corporation had found that existing dredging capacity was not enough.

Additional capacity of 63,000 square metres a year was needed for annual maintenance dredging.

JICA said it would provide a 'grab hopper dredger' to the Ceylon Fishery Harbhour Corporation after gaining approval from Japan.

"With the supply of grab hopper dredger, it will be able to carry out the maintenance dredging in accordance with a proper dredging plan, the accidents caused due to the sedimentation would be avoided¦"JICA said in a statement.

JICA said minutes of discussions on the move was signed on January 16 in the presence of fisheries minister Rajitha Senarathna, secretary Damitha De Zoysa, chairman CFHC Upali Liyanage, general manager G P Abeysekera and JICA chief representative Harumi Ao.

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