The Disaster Management Ministry officials delivered 300 life jackets among the fisher folk in the Colombo district yesterday as the first stage of a program to distribute life jackets worth Rs. 9 million across the country this year.
The life jackets worth Rs. 1 million were delivered at a ceremony at the Moratuwa Modara Fisheries harbour under the patronage of Minister of Disaster Management Mr Mahinda Amaraweera and the Minister of Postal Services Mr Jeevan Kumaratunge.
This measure has been initiated under the directive of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to protect fishermen from accidents and disasters while at sea. Other than the life jackets provided free to fishermen, they also get a jacket, a pair of goggles, a knife, and a torch, helping fisherman to remain safe at sea for 72 hours until assistance arrives.
