Devananda gets tough with Chinese sea cucumber farm owner

By Dinasena Ratugamage

Minister of Fisheries Douglas Devananda on Wednesday threatened to take stern action if a sea cucumber farm, managed by a Chinese company in Kilinochchi that was allegedly operating under an invalid license.

Devananda made this statement during an observation visit to the above mentioned sea cucumber farm. The Minister was accompanied by journalists, representatives of local fisheries associations and ministry officers

Minister Devananda said that the authorisation to operate the farm had been given by the previous yahapalana government.

The Minister added that he had instructed officers to look into the matter and already

National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA) is looking into it.

“I will get the report soon and if there is any irregularity, I will take action. A number of fisheries associations have lodged complaints against this company,” Minister Devananda said.

Sea cucumber is a delicacy in high demand in China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, and Taiwan. They are also used in traditional Chinese medicine. In 2016, NAQDA had issued a licence for the sea cucumber farm as a joint venture between a Sri Lankan and a Chinese company.