Since the lifting of EU fish ban on 21st June Sri Lanka has exported 600 metric tons of fish to EU countries as at 14th August 2016.

The then government was warned by EU in 2014 for not conforming with the internationally accepted standards in exporting fish products and the failure to heed such warning resulted in a ban imposed against Sri Lankan fish exports to EU countries.  However the current government within a year of its election was capable of lifting the EU ban.  

SriLanka has exported a total fish of 7490 tons since January 2016 to both EU and other countries. Even though a high demand prevails internationally for Sri Lankan Tuna, we could meet only one third of the total demand.

Hon. Mahinda Amaraweera expressed these ideas in the presence of the Norwegian Minister of Fisheries Mr. Per Sandburg at the international trade fair, “Nor Fishing 2016” on 18th Aug. Hon Minister also expressed his gratitude to the Norwegian government for the corporation extended in lifting the EU fish ban imposed against Sri Lanka.

Within the past 05 months of the year, an income of Rs 11088 million has been earned by fish exports and it shows a progress of 6.4% comparing to the previous year.