Tangalle Fishery Harbour, which was damaged by the Tsunami in 2004, was reconstructed with Japanese assistance. The official opening ceremony of the newly constructed Fishery Harbour took place on 6th May, 2007. Mr. Felix Perera, Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and Mr. Nobuaki Ito, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Japan were present at the ceremony.

 

The estimated cost of the reconstruction is Japanese Yen 110 million (approximately Rs. 100 million). The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) assisted in the designing of the fisheries harbour, while the Japan International Cooperation Systems (JICS) supervised the construction and related work. This is the first fishery harbour where reconstruction work was completed after the Tsunami.

 

The Tangalle Fishery Harbour was first constructed in 2001 under the Japanese Grant scheme, but was destroyed by the tsunami in December 2004. Under the reconstruction, the harbour was renovated and equipped with modern and essential facilities such as an ice plant, cold storage, quay wall, slipway for safe navigation of fishing vessels, winch house, an auction hall, a canteen for harbour staff, etc.

 

Immediately after the tsunami, the Government of Japan provided US$ 80 million under the Japanese Non-Project Grant Aid for relief, relabilitation and reconstruction of a wide range of tsunami affected sectors. Out of this total grant, US$ 20 million, which is one fourth of the grant, was allocated to the fisheries sector considering the extensive damage to the industry and its economic and social importance in particular to the coastal communities and also the country as a whole. The funds allocated to the fisheries sector have been utilized for providing a variety of fishing boats, fishing gear, ice plants, cold storage facilities, and other essential items. Japanese assistance under this scheme was also provided for the reconstruction of the Galle Fishery Harbours, where reconstruction is scheduled to be completed by June this year.