Annual Report 2008 - Ministry of Finance and Planning

2. Fiscal Developments - 2008
115
Development in Fisheries Sector
The fisheries sector development continued in 2008, with
a great emphasis on rehabilitation and modernization
of fisheries harbours destroyed by the Tsunami and the
construction of new fisheries harbours. The total expenditure
in 2008 on fisheries sector stood at Rs. 3.1 billion.
All fisheries harbours destroyed by Tsunami have been
rehabilitated and modernized. Under this program harbours
at Kirinda, Tangalle, Kudawella, Puranawella, Mirrisa, Galle,
Hikkaduwa, Beruwala, Panadura and Cod bay have been
upgraded. Further, construction work in fisheries harbours
of Hambantotoa, Ambalangoda and Chilaw were completed
in 2008, which will boost the operation of multiday boats in
South and North West seas. With a view to provide facilities
to the multiday boats, designing and construction of two
mother vessels at a cost of US $ 3.2 million had commenced.
Meanwhile, the construction work of the Dikkowita Fishery
Harbour at a cost of Euro 53 million has also commenced
with Netherland assistance. This will consist 11.7 ha of
harbour area enclosed by around 1,100 meters of breakwater
with berthing facilities for 20 multiday boats at a time.
Under the coast conservation programmes groyness with
a total length of 912 meters have been constructed in
Gampaha, Colombo and Puttlam districts at a cost of Rs 81
million. Further 8 revetments having a total length of 2,346
meters have been constructed in Matara, Galle, Colombo
and Gampaha districts at a cost of Rs. 38 million.
National performing Art Theater
The Dutch sites in Matara and Galle which are of great
historical importance have been conserved through financial
assistance from Netherland Government. The construction
work of the Sigiriya Museum continued in 2008 with the
JICA assistance. It is expected to be opened in Mid 2009.
Meanwhile, archeological research work in Abayagiriya,
Jethawana Monastry, Ramba Vihara, Tissamaharama and
the Galle Fort has been completed.
Providing assistance to Dham Schools of all religions
continued with a view to promote Daham Education in the
country resulting the number of Daham schools increasing
to 280 and student population of around 740,000.
Art, Culture & Religion
Several projects were designed in 2007-2008 period towards
safeguarding and promoting cultural and religious values.
With a view to facilitate cultural activities, new cultural
centres were established in Muthiyangana, Hambantota,
Kandeketiya and Namalgama in 2008. A cultural training
centre was constructed at a cost of Rs. 48 million at
Veyangoda to provide training in cultural propagation and
development. The funds amounting to Rs. 400 million have
been mobilized from Peoples’ Republic of China to construct
the National Performing Art Theatre and the preliminary
infrastructure of it has been completed.
Ministry of Finance and Planning Sri Lanka
Annual Report 2008