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Peliyagoda fish market reopening further delayed until health concerns are addressed
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Peliyagoda fish market society Chairman Jayasiri Wickramaarachchi
The reopening of the Peliyagoda fish market is likely to be delayed for a month or so after the health authorities expressed reservations.
The Sunday Times learned that Health Ministry officials have expressed fear over the possible spreading of the COVID-19 virus due to the poor condition of the building with damaged floors and blocked waterways. Repairing the needful will take a little over a month.
The Peliyagoda fish market was closed after 49 from a sample of 105 people tested positive in October.
Peliyagoda fish market society Chairman Jayasiri Wickramaarachchi said there were 154 wholesale stalls and 128 unused retail stalls in the building.
According to him, from different parts of the country, the market received more than 200 lorries carrying fish every day while more than 500 vehicles arrive at the market to buy fish. About 2500 people work in Peliyagoda market as well.
He said the society had requested the authorities to permit them to start business in the unused retail section of the market or in the vehicle park area under the strict supervision of health officials.
Fish stall owner Thaminth Nayanagith
“Though we have got the green light from the Fisheries Ministry, the Health Ministry permission is still awaited,” he said.
Thaminth Nayanagith had been running a stall in the Peliyagoda market since 2016. Prior to that he owned stall at the St. John’s market.
“We usually got more than 5000 kilogrammes of fish a day and 11 employees worked for me. We have lost suppliers from Devinuwara, Kudawella and Galle due to a long delay. This will definitely affect fish supplies to Colombo and suburbs,” he said.
With no relief from leasing companies, most fish traders are struggling to pay lease instalments of their lorries, he said.
Forty nine years old Terrence Fernando worked as a helper and depended on his daily wage.
“With two children to be fed, we are financially struggling. Even grocery shops that gave us dry rations on credit are refusing to do so as we have not paid them almost for two months,” he said.
Fisheries Ministry Secretary Indu Ratnayake said they planned to meet Health Ministry officials and get specific guidelines for the opening and operating of the fish market especially in the unused section.
“We understand the problem and will do our best to re-open the market while addressing the risks,” he said.
On Friday, 517 new COVID positive cases were detected from the Peliyagoda fish market cluster, taking the total to 23,000 in the second wave.
Pix and text by
M.A. Pushpa Kumara
Health officials point to damaged floor at the market
The Peliyagoda fish market: No activity since the detection of 49 COVID postitive cases in October