Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha handed over a package of development assistance to the fishing community of Trincomalee on Sunday (03), at an event held at the Trincomalee Fishermen’s Trade Union.

The assistance, extended at the request of fishermen from the Trincomalee Fishermen Trade Union, which includes 21 fishermen associations from the district, consisted of a 40 HP boat engine, three deep freezers, and life jackets. While the deep freezers would ensure that the catch remains fresh, thus contributing to augmenting the incomes of the fishermen, the engine and life jackets will help provide critical support to rescue fishermen and boats that get stranded or capsized at sea.

Speaking at the event, the High Commissioner commended the fishermen for their resilience, hard work and enduring contributions to their communities. He highlighted the deep-rooted historical and cultural ties between India and Sri Lanka, united by the Indian Ocean. He stressed that India understands the importance of the fishing industry to Sri Lanka and underscored that the assistance from the Government of India aims to enhance both the safety and efficiency of their daily operations.