The Launch of Fish-Net Making Training

JEN held a ceremony to commemorate the launch of fish-net making training on November 19th 2007 in support of the conflict-affected peoples in the Batticaloa District in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka.

The training is planned in ten villages in which the Fishery Cooperative Society operates.

The training was first launched in five villages out of the ten. The ceremony was attended by the Divisional Secretary of the Vakarai Division, the Livelihood Development Officer of the Army of Sri Lanka, and the Officer of the Ministry of Fishery and Aquatic Resources. The ceremony began by lighting the traditional oil lamp, which is the first ritual act performed at the beginning of all kinds of events in Sri Lanka. It was followed by speeches given by the aforementioned distinguished guests.

The training course targets forty people in each village. It lasts three hours a day, for two months. The experienced professionals teaching at universities in the project area are the training tutors, and participants will learn both theories and practices.

Psychologists also work in the project area providing psychological support to local people affected by the tsunami and conflict.

At the end of the training course, participants are expected to acquire income-generating skills by learning fish-net making and repairing in order to improve their livelihoods.