Boats for Thirukkovil

The Rotary club has just financed 2 boats and 2 engines costing Rs. 506,000.- via Rebuild Sri Lanka Trust. The following is the project proposal that was sent to us for consideration. We will soon have pictures of theses boats on the site for viewing.

The proposal for boats and engines is as follows -

Area - Thirukkovil (Ampara)

250 - Fishermen

All boats have been damaged. Most of them cannot be repaired.

We propose to coordinate the supply of two boats and two engines to Thirukkovil. Ownership of the boats and engines will be retained by Rotary. We only propose to provide them with use of the boats and engines. The boats will be handed over to a committee set up by the Fishermen which shall include the fisheries inspector and overlooked by the Special Task Force. A roster will be prepared by the committee so that each fishermen has an opportunity to use the boats and the engines. A portion of the funds generated from the sale of fish will be deposited in a bank account for maintenance and operational costs (ie. fuel). A further portion of the catch will be sold to those in IDP centres (at pre-tsunami prices). Due to government hand outs, IDPs are in funds. They will have to use these funds.

This system ensures that the community works together. There is no point in giving them all boats at this stage, as boats will be provided to all eventually.

A similar set has been implemented in Komari and Sangaman Kande. They are working well.

The cost of two boats will be Rs. 106,000/- each. They have been manufactured by a registered yard (AGAS MARINE Business Registration number DKB/4/29.

The cost of the two engines will be Rs. 147,000/- each. Suzuki engines provided by Neil Marine.

The trust has made arrangements for the boats and the engines to be supplied over the weekend. We have used our bank facilities to advance funds for the engines. We have some credit for the boats.