Colombo — June 8, 2026 — Japan and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in partnership with the Government of Sri Lanka, have launched a USD 1.33 million initiative to restore fisheries and rebuild livelihoods in the Eastern Province following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah earlier this year.
The project, running from June 2026 to November 2027, will support more than 1,500 fishers across the districts of Amparai, Batticaloa, and Trincomalee, while strengthening community resilience against future climate-related disasters.
The agreement was signed at the Japanese Embassy in Colombo by Ambassador Akio Isomata and FAO Representative Vimlendra Sharan, with Sri Lanka’s Minister of Fisheries Ramalingam Chandrasekar in attendance.
Cyclone Ditwah caused widespread flooding, severely disrupting inland fisheries, damaging infrastructure, destroying fish stocks, and undermining the livelihoods of thousands of families dependent on reservoir-based fishing. Floodwaters and emergency reservoir releases led to the loss of large numbers of fish fingerlings and mature fish, while equipment and breeding cycles were heavily impacted.
The new initiative aims to restore fisheries infrastructure, replenish fish stocks, and provide targeted support to affected communities, ensuring that livelihoods can recover and withstand future shocks. By focusing on resilience and sustainable practices, the project is expected to play a critical role in rebuilding the Eastern Province’s fisheries sector and supporting long-term economic recovery.
