January 23, 2014: Today the United States Embassy in Colombo, through its development arm, the U.S. Agency for International Development, announced a new program to revive the fishery community in the Maradankerny Division of Jaffna.   This initiative is part of a significant USAID livelihoods project worth $1.5 million USD (approximately SLR196 million) that focuses on empowering economic opportunities and accelerating permanent resettlement for many displaced families in the North.

“We know this community has repeatedly faced the hardship of rebuilding lives after numerous displacements,” Ambassador Sison said while speaking at the opening ceremony, accompanied by  Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture of the Northern Provincial Council, Mr. R. Varatheeswaran.  “The U.S. Government, in partnership with all of you, is committed to helping restore livelihoods by providing boats and nets that will benefit over 200 fishing families in this community.”

The project stretches beyond Maradankerny Division to support over 2,775 direct beneficiaries throughout the Northern Province. In partnership with Sevalanka, the project includes improving livelihood conditions for rice farmers, strengthening basic nutrition and food security, and providing transitional shelter and safe drinking water wells.