Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa (centre) along with Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Rajitha Senaratne (right) examining a few salmon tins (Pic by: Chaminda Hittatiya)

Senior Adviser to the President and Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa, declared open the largest canned fish factory in Sri Lanka, TESS Mackerel Canned Fish of TESS Agro PLC, in Peliyagoda recently.

The TESS (Tropic Engineering Supplies and Services) group is a diversified group of companies engaged in engineering, deep sea fishing and export of marine products from Sri Lanka. TESS group was established in 1980 and it is the largest exporter of tuna from Sri Lanka to the European markets.

The TESS group has established the fish canning factory with a total investment of Rs.170 million. The canning factory capacity is 12,000 to 15,000 cans per shift of eight hours. Hence, production per day is 24,000 cans. With the addition of retort, using the same line, the capacity can be doubled up to 48,000 cans per day. Cans manufactured are made to Sri Lankan taste.

Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, Chairman H.N.O.P. Fernando, CEO/Executive Director Shiran Fernando also participated at this occasion.