Turkey extends assistance to Sri Lankan fishermen and farmers

The Republic of Turkey uplifted the livelihoods of more than 200 fishing and farming families in Trincomalee District by donating 80 fishing boats, 400 fishing nets, 30 electric water pumps and 30 kerosene water pumps to fishing and farming communities in Trincomalee at a ceremony held at the Public Library Hall in Kinniya. More than 1,000 people in the area are expected to benefit from the donation of this equipment.

The fishing and agriculture equipment is donated by the Turkish International Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), the development arm of the Turkish government, as part of Turkey’s ongoing development assistance program to support the livelihoods of fishing and farming communities in the area.

Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey, Tunca Ozcuhadar, Member of Parliament M.S. Thowfeek, Chief Minister Naseer Ahmed, and representatives from the Government of Sri Lanka and the Turkish International Cooperation and Coordination Agency were present at the event.

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Ozcuhadar said, “What we do in Sri Lanka is only a small but a very important fraction of our humanitarian work.” He pointed out that this assistance in many areas of this island maybe like a drop in the ocean, but it makes a remarkable difference in the lives of individuals who benefit from this support and that it is a gesture of Turkish people’s empathy and care. 

Turkey has always been a close friend of Sri Lanka and supported Sri Lanka at various times of need in the past. Soon after the Tsunami, Turkey completed a housing project in Midigama in the South. Turkey also built a housing project in Mannar for IDPs in the North. Earlier this year, immediately after the floods, Turkey was among the first countries here to help Sri Lanka to heal the wounds caused by the devastating floods.

According to Ambassador Ozcuhadar, Turkey is hosting more than three million refugees. In terms of per capita income ratio, Turkey is number one in the world in providing humanitarian assistance.