After a decade, a new effort to start a community radio, targeting the fishery community in Sri Lanka is triggered by the Sri Lanka development journalist forum. An official meeting was taken place between the deputy Minister of fishery ,Susantha Punchi Nilame and the SDJf delegates, last week at the his resident.

A proposed concept note was handed over to the deputy minister of fishery, Susantha Punchi Nilame by SDJF chief executive officer M. C Rasmin and senior broadcaster Bandula saman vaturegama, who was the first producer of the fishery radio show produced by the ministry of fishery and explain the potential of the community radio for fishery community.

Sharing his view about the concept paper, “the major concern of the Government is build north and east and enhances a platform for multiple opportunities. The primary income source of the north and east community is fishery. Fishing industry plays a key role on their economical establishment. In this context, a community radio would be an ideal tool to cater our fishery community” pointed deputy minister.

“Communication is a core factor for the development. It‘s a powerful tool that can be used in the form of community radio in order to facilitate the development needs of the fishing community. I would extend my fullest support to succeed this initiative which will further enrich the ‘Mahinda chinthana development goals’. - Further added deputy minister.

The proposed fishery community radio is to be operated from Trincomalee. According to the initial plane given to the minister, an OB live programme for daily three hours, in the evening has been recommended. OB will be linked with the PRIFM which is a regional broadcasting station, functioning form the eastern part of the Sri Lanka.

The proposed community radio will focus the development needs of the fishery community. Special emphasize on education, health, culture, sports, sanitation, integrity, reconciliation and so on are to be given in the programmes. A new set of strategies for participatory awareness programmes on democracy, fishery rights, fishery law and regulations, health, new opportunities and peace are also included in the concept note.

Explaining his view about this proposed initiative DR. WADP wanigasundara, the chairperson of the borad of director of SDJF “SDJF is very keen to take this proposed initiative forward with our community radio experts and local resource pool. We would continuously discus the possibilities and end up with strong work plane. I am sure, a new chapter for local community radio history is to be begin with this initiatives”