The first government-owned sea cucumber breeding centre, on the directives of Fisheries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, will be set up in Olaithuduwa, Mannar soon.

The project aims to popularise sea cumber breeding in Sri Lanka with a view to adding foreign exchange to the fishing community and the national economy.

Sea cucumbers have a high demand in the international market. The price of 1kg of Sea cucumber in the international market amounts to between Rs. 20,000 - 30,000, the Government Information Department said.

The Information Department said the government would fund the proposed Sea cucumber breeding centre at an estimated cost of Rs 185 million.

Minister Amaraweera said the government also expects to have the fisheries industry in first or second position in Sri Lankan exports by the year 2020.

Export income earned by fish exports last year was Rs 1.2 billion and is expected to increase to 1.3 billion by 2020 and five billion by 2030.