Danusha Marine commissions Rs. 300 m new boat yard at Payagala

Friday, 25 September 2020 00:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Danusha Marine Managing Director Sumithra Fernando

Secretary Ministry of Ports and Shipping U.D. Jayalal

Danusha Marine Directress Danusha Fernando

Former Export Development Board Chairperson Indira Malwatta

FV OCEAN HARVEST ready to be launched

Celebratory cake being cut

Better late than never! Minister Abeygunawardena and State Minister Samaraweera arrived four and a half hours late

Text and pix by P.D. De Silva

Danusha Marine's state-of-the-art boat yard built with an investment of Rs. 300 million at Payagala was declared open by Secretary to the Ministry of Ports and Shipping U.D. Jayalal last morning

FV OCEAN HARVEST being christened

Construction of the yard was completed early this year but it was not possible to have an opening ceremony due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. But the management were compelled to commence operations to meet delivery deadlines, and the first 20 meter multi-day fishing vessel 'FV OCEAN HARVEST,' built at the yard for Ocean Harvest Ltd. of Mauritius was also launched yesterday.

The 2500 square meter boat yard situated on a three acre land at Diyalagoda Payagala, houses the newest equipment and technology used in boat manufacturing and has capacity to build three 24 meter boats concurrently.

Danusha Marine Ltd and Danusha Group Managing Director Sumithra Fernando, recalling his start on a 10 perch block of land in Moratuwa and Rs 5000 in his pocket two decades ago, said that he expected the new yard at Payagala – which is his fourth – would bring over $ 1 million into the country in the first year and $ 3 million from the second year onwards. Ocean Harvest Ltd Managing Director Mahen Sookun, who is also the owner of the first vessel built at the yard, addressing the occasion via video call, said that he selected Danusha Marine because of the facilities they had and the sincerity of MD Sumithra Fernando.

Danusha Marine Director Danusha Fernando welcomed the invitees, while Export Development Board former Chairperson Indira Malwatta, who supported the setting up of the boat yard, Secretary to the Ministry of Warehouse Facilities, Container Yards, Port Supply Facilities and Boat and Shipping Industry Development D.D. Mataraarachchi, Department of Fisheries Director General Prasanna Ginige, and Secretary to the Ministry of Ports and Shipping U.D. Jayalal, addressed the occasion A distinguished gathering of invitees comprising of government officials, business associates and well-wishers attended the opening ceremony and launch of Ocean Harvest.

Minister of Fisheries Douglas Devananda; Minister of Ports and Shipping Rohitha Abeygunawardena; State Minister of Ornamental Fish, Inland Fish & Prawn Farming, Fishery Harbour Development, Multi-day Fishing Activities and Fish Exports Kanchana Wijesekera; and State Minister of Warehouse Facilities, Container Yards, Port Supply Facilities and Boats and Shipping Industry Development Jayantha Samaraweera; all of whom accepted the invitation to attend the opening ceremony did not attend due to urgent commitments at Parliament, but Abeygunawardena and Samaraweera did arrive at the occasion two and a half hours after the two hour ceremony was scheduled to end.