According to the minister, the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation (CFC) has completed 95 percent out of the whole development programs and their duties during the past three to four years. The Minister said that as a result, it was possible to have the largest fish harvest of the country at the end of last year. We have already achieved success in the Sri Lankan fisheries industry Minister Senaratne added.

He said the success achieved by the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry is not a result of a single effort. It is a result of a joint attempt made by all institutions affiliated under the Fisheries Ministry, he said.

"We have developed the sea fish and inland water fish industry during the past several years. We have also increased the per capita fish consumption of Sri Lankans," Dr. Senaratne said. Oyster farming, sea cucumber production and sea weed farming have also been developed in line with the development of fisheries industry and they have also become livelihoods of the fishing community. (ST/KH)