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A white elephant
The ‘fully equipped’ Fisheries Harbour at Chilaw lies idle. Constructed at a cost of Rs. 200 million and declared open by the then Fisheries Minister in January 2010, the harbour provides no benefit to fishermen in the area.
Despite Rs. 200 million being spent, around 500 trawlers have no harbour facilities
To make matters worse the estuary is blocked by a sand bar which forms during the monsoon season.
Equipment to prevent the formation of sand bars of was initially provided, but was subsequently removed.
The result: Today around 500 fishing trawlers have no harbour facilities.
Addressing the fishermen recently, the Minister of Fisheries, Dr.Rajitha Senaratne, assured them immediate measures would be taken to clear the sand bar.However, fishermen complained the harbour had no telecommunication tower and despite fuel pumps being available, no fuel was provided and there was no possibility of obtaining fuel.
Again whilst a water tank has been constructed, no water is supplied to it. The harbour complex also comprises a two-storied building with restroom facilities. But a rusty leaking roof and lack of water and sanitation facilities has ensured the hall lies vacant.
 A rusty, leaking roof and lack of sanitation facilities ensures this two-storied building lies idle. |
 A 'fully equipped' Fishery Harbour stripped of necessities and basic facilities. |
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 Fuel storage tanks and pumps are available… but no fuel! |
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