President declared opens Mangrove museum

President Maithripala Sirisena declared open the Mangrove Museum established in Pabbala, Chilaw and launched the Sri Lanka Mangrove Conservation Program yesterday marking the World Mangrove Day.

In 2015, the Ministry of Mahaweli Development & Environment and Seacology institute in the U.S. together with the Small Fishers Federation entered into an agreement to protect the mangroves of the 14 coastal districts in Sri Lanka.

The Seacology institute of the U.S. has provided the financial assistance and feedback for the Seacology- Sudeesa Mangrove Museum. The Mahaweli Development & Environment and the Ministry of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources Development along with the Ministry of Education will provide the state assistance in this regard.

Following the opening ceremony, President Sirisena inaugurated the Mangrove Conservation Program, The Director General of the Small Fishers Federation , Dr. Gamini Kariyawasam presented a book titled “World First Mangrove Museum “ written by him to the President on this occasion. The Board of the Seacology institute also posed for a group photography with the President.

Minister of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources Development, Mahinda Amaraweera, Chief Minister of Wayamba Province Dharmasiri Dasanayaka, Directors of Seacology, members and officials of the Small Fishers Federation, Secretary General at Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO, Dhammika Wijayasinghe and many others participated in this event.