A programme has been planned for the year 2017 by MFARD in order to provide fishers with computer tablets. Mahinda Amaraweera, Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources stated that Rs. 183 million has been allocated for this programme by the government. 

The European Union had imposed a ban on Sri Lankan fish exports due to the non-compliance by the former government in Sri Lanka with the regulations against Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing activities.  

Sri Lanka was instructed by EU to adopt 57 strategies which include filling and checking the related documents in entering and leaving harbours/landing sites by fishers, collecting and reporting accurate data related to the fish catch, introducing log book system and record fishing logs after every trip of fishing and issuance of export certificates for fish products based only on fishing logs and data.

Hence most of the fishers are having no access to computer facilities, government decided to provide them with computer tablets so that the stipulated strategies could be effectively implemented and the data collection process could be efficiently and smoothly carried out by fishers which will help to re-establish the credibility of Sri Lankan fisheries among the international community, stated Minister.

He also instructed respective officials to organize workshops in district level to enlighten fishers regarding the usage of computer tablets in recording required fishing information