Cabinet nod for Minister Devananda’s proposal to help set up sea cucumber export villages

Minister of Agriculture and Cabinet Spokesman Mahinda Amaraweera said yesterday (21) 5000 acres that could be used to hatch sea cucumbers had been identified.

Those lands were in the districts of Jaffna, Kilinochchi and Batticaloa, he said.

Out of this land, 100 acres would be released to those who were already interested soon, he added.

“Sea cucumbers are highly prized in China and Korea and a kilo sells for about Rs. 40,000,” Minister Amaraweera said.

According to the Minister the Cabinet had approved a proposal by Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda to release 100 acres to those who were interested in setting up export villages.

About 100 acres would be released to export villages in blocks of one acre, the minister said, adding that if the project was implemented as planned Sri Lanka could earn a billion US dollars. The country already has several commercial sea cucumber hatcheries.