Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar

Hon. Speaker, the answer is as follows: (a) Yes. - Fishery buildings renovated after the tsunami exist within the Pottuvil Fisheries Division. Some were constructed by the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources; some were given directly to fisheries societies; some were given to fisheries cooperative societies; and a few were given to individuals. Some are unused; others are being used effectively by the respective parties. Buildings currently used by fisheries organizations: - Kalappukattu Rural Fisheries Organization – Multi-purpose Building, Kalappukattu, Pottuvil (NECDEP) - Ourani Rural Fisheries Organization – Eco-tourism Centre, Ourani, Pottuvil (CCD) Buildings given to fisheries cooperative societies (currently in use): - GS Divisions P20, P21 and P27 Cooperative Society – Multi-purpose Building, Hidayapuram, Pottuvil (NECDEP) - GS Divisions P20, P21 and P27 Cooperative Society – Eco-tourism Centre, Hidayapuram, Pottuvil (CCD) - Komari Cooperative Society – Multi-purpose Building, Komari (ICEDA) Buildings given to fisheries cooperative societies (currently not in use): - United Deep Sea Cooperative Society – Multi-purpose Building, Pasichenai, Pottuvil (ICEDA) - Kathriya Cooperative Society – Office Building, Pasichenai, Pottuvil (ICEDA) - Kathriya Cooperative Society – Multi-purpose Building, Chinna Ullai, Pottuvil (NECDEP) - Arugamkuda Fishermen’s Cooperative Society – Multi-purpose Building Buildings given to the federation of fisheries cooperatives: - Cooperative Society – Cold Room, Jalaldeen Square, Pottuvil (GTZ) - Cooperative Society – Ice Plant, Jalaldeen Square, Pottuvil (ICEDA) The cold room was handed over to the Sri Lanka Army by the Pottuvil Divisional Secretary in 2016. The ice plant within the Pottuvil Fisheries Department premises is damaged and non-operational. Documents have been handed to the Pottuvil Divisional Secretary to take over these buildings to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources for restarting operations. Buildings not related to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources: - Small-scale Fisheries Federation – Multi-purpose Building, Ourani, Pottuvil - Small-scale Fisheries Federation – Multi-purpose Building, Jalaldeen Square, Pottuvil These buildings were used by the Small-scale Fisheries Federation but are currently not operational. Further, two buildings given to fisheries cooperative societies (the United Deep Sea multi-purpose building at Pasichenai, and the Kathriya office building at Pasichenai) had been handed to individuals for use by those societies; it is reported that rent has not been paid for these. (b) (i) After discussion with the Pottuvil Divisional Secretary regarding buildings that are not operational, steps can be taken to make such buildings available for public use. (ii) and (iii) This matter does not properly fall within the purview of the Ministry, as those buildings were not provided by the Department concerned. However, the issue can be discussed with the Pottuvil Divisional Secretary, including at the Divisional and District Coordinating Committees, to reach an appropriate solution, including possible provision of alternative lands and vesting for public use where suitable. (c) Not applicable.