Renovated community centre for Negombo fishing community

A fully renovated community centre in the Negombo Palangathure area was recently declared open by Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Minister Mahinda Amaraweera. The community centre, which was donated to the fishing community, was reconstructed by CHEC Port City Colombo in commemoration of the World Fisheries Day.

Constructed in 1983, this community centre had become wholly derelict over the last 20 years due to lack of maintenance and was in need a complete overhaul. This had been brought to the attention of the Fishermen’s Livelihood Support Society Limited (FLSSL) funded by CHEC Port City Colombo who granted approximately Rs. 1.5 million for the renovation. The renovated community centre now holds a library, preschool, day-care centre, a needlework training centre for women as well as facilities to aid the education of fishing community children.

Amaraweera, addressing the gathering at the opening ceremony, said that the Government had taken a number of steps for the development of the fishing community and the contribution by a mega-investment project such as the Port City compliments this program and was greatly appreciated.

Fisheries Director General Christy Lal Fernando, NARA Chairman Dr. Anil Premaratne, former Fisheries & Aquatic Resources Ministry Secretary G. Piyasena, Fishermens’ Livelihood Support Society Administrative Manager Ranjan Fonseka, CHEC Port City Colombo Public Relations Head Kassapa Senarath and Gampaha District Assistant Fisheries Director Ranjith Bandara were present at the opening ceremony.