Fisheries Minister instructs officials to remove silt in Nayaru, Nandikadal

By Dyaseeli Liyanage

   Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Douglas Devananda has instructed ministry officials to remove silt in Nayaru and Nandikadal Lagoons in the Mullaitivu District.   

It is reported that 336,712 cubic metres and 382,111 cubic metres of silt have been deposited in Nayaru Lagoon and Nandikadal Lagoon respectively according to initial mapping plans of Fishery Harbour Corporation.   

Minister Douglas Devananda stated that steps had been taken to remove 15,000 cubic metres of silt from Nayaru Lagoon and 43,000 cubic metres of silt from Nandikadal Lagoon under the first stage..   

Fisheries Unions had earlier pointed out  to the Minister that it was impossible for them to carry out their profession owing to the silt that had been deposited in the lagoons due to the three- decade-long war and the Tsunami in 2004.