15 Fish Export Centers in Sri Lanka Devastated

 The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources states that approximately fifteen leading fish processing centers involved in the country's fish export industry have been severely damaged due to floods caused by the prevailing adverse weather conditions.

Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Mr. Rathna Gamage, recently conducted an inspection tour of several affected fish processing centers in the Seeduwa area, including Niva Madhu Nadi and Blue Line Ocean.

The owners of the respective institutions informed the Minister that these factories were submerged under 5 to 6 feet of floodwater, and the disruption of the electricity supply caused the refrigeration systems to become inoperative, resulting in extensive damage.

The Deputy Minister has accordingly instructed the Ceylon Electricity Board and high-ranking officials of LECO to take immediate steps to provide the necessary electricity supply to these institutions, which earn significant foreign exchange for the country by exporting fish products to European Union member countries.