A total of 19 fishermen in the Kilinochchi District have received boats under a government subsidy scheme, while 20 others have been issued new fisheries identity cards under initiatives aimed at strengthening the fisheries sector and supporting fishing communities affected by natural disasters.

The distribution programme was organized by the Department of Fisheries at the Kilinochchi District Fisheries Office under the patronage of Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Ramalingam Chandrasekar, who formally handed over the boats and identity cards to the beneficiaries.

The boats were distributed under a relief programme designed to restore the livelihoods of fishermen affected by the Ditwah disaster. The 19 beneficiaries included fishermen from the Thattuvankotti area.

In a parallel initiative to improve public service delivery, the Department of Fisheries has introduced a decentralized system for issuing fisheries identity cards, allowing fishermen to obtain the documents locally without travelling to Colombo.

Previously, the cards were printed and issued exclusively through the department’s head office in Colombo. Under the new arrangement, facilities have been established in Kilinochchi District to print and issue the cards locally.

During the first phase of the initiative, 20 fishermen received their new identity cards. The move is expected to reduce travel time and expenses for fishing communities, while improving access to essential government services.

Addressing the gathering, Minister Chandrasekar said the initiatives were intended to protect the livelihoods of fishing communities, promote the fisheries sector and improve the efficiency and accessibility of public services.

The event was attended by the Assistant Director of the Department of Fisheries in Kilinochchi, representatives of fisheries societies, the District Coordinator of the Clean Sri Lanka National Programme, the Coordinator of the District Coordinating Committee Office and other government officials.