Responding to a question raised by UNP Hambantota District MP Sajith Premadasa, the minister said that the ministry had supplied 233.6 millions of fish fingerlings and 70.5 millions of prawns to inland raring centres.
Dr Senaratne said that there were 1,467 fish landing places in fresh-water fishing industry in Sri Lanka.

There are 32,635 families engaged in the fresh water fish industry around the aforesaid landing places. “At the time I assumed duties of this ministry, the fresh water fish harvest was 43,000 metric tonnes, today I have been able to increase it up to 63,000 metric tonnes. That is a 50% increase,” the minister said.

He said that the prevailing drought situation had resulted in decrease of fresh water fish production. “There seem to be a decline of produce in the small scale water bodies owing to drought. But the decrease of water in large scale reservoirs has helped fishers to increase their catch.” (Special Reporter/HC)