Due to the lifting of the ban by EU on fish exports with the intervention of the Government of Sri Lanka, the demand for sea food has increased. The report indicated that sea food exports have increased by 40 percent during the first six months of this year.

During the first six months of 2016 sea food exports earned USD 83.5 million while it increased to USD117.1 million during the first six months of this year.

Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Mahinda Amaraweera said that Sri Lanka only supplies one third of the demand for sea food and to get a higher share the government has commenced a program to produce sea food.

Steps have been taken to reduce the post-harvest losses of fish which at present amount to 40 percent by introducing of new equipment and boats as well as introducing of new technology to the fisher community, said the minister.