Minister of Fisheries Douglas Devananda engaged in an observation tour in the Mahawewa area and visited PRF Sea Food PVT. Ltd on 26-01-2024. During the visit, the Minister stated that all the necessary assistance to uplift the local canned fish industry would be provided through the government.
The Minister also said that the import of canned fish has already been controlled and measures are being taken to develop the local Canned Fish industry. The Minister reiterated that the producers of canned fish should take measures to increase the standard of local canned fish.
Expressing further views the Minister stated that the importers of canned fish say that the standard of local canned fish is not as the standard of imported Canned fish and it is the responsibility of the canned fish producers to maintain the standard. The Minister stated that he would instruct the officials of the Fisheries Department to provide necessary instructions in this regard.
The Minister also said that 18 local Canned fish factories with proper standards have been approved by the Sri Lanka Standards Bureau and he has learned that there are factories that have not been approved by the Sri Lanka Standards Bureau. Through the development of the canned fish industry, local fishermen could have the opportunity to sell their fish to these factories.
State Minister of Fisheries Piyal Nishantha, secretary to the Ministry of fisheries Miss. Nayana Kumari Somaratne, Director General of the Department of Fisheries Mr. Susantha Kahawaththa, and a group of higher officials of the Ministry attended this event.
