The Department of Aquatic Bioresources of the Faculty of Urban and Aquatic Bioresources is committed to training and producing graduates to fit into diverse sectors in the field of Aquatic Bioresources including aquaculture. The Department has also joined hands with the industry to provide the necessary expertise required in the development and sustainable utilization of Aquatic Bioresources in the country. In keeping with the mission of the Faculty, the Department recently entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Aquaculture Development Centre, Pitipana, Negombo, administered by the Western Provincial Council. Under this agreement, the Aquaculture Development Centre, Negombo will provide field training and research facilities in aquaculture for the undergraduates following the BSc degree programme in Aquatic Bioresources, at the Faculty. In return, the Department of Aquatic Bioresources of the Faculty will provide technical expertise to facilitate the routine functions of the Aquaculture Development Centre, particularly in aquatic animal health management, nutrition management and in establishing new aquaculture operations at the Centre.
The official entry into the agreement took place on the 18th of August 2023, at the Western Provincial Council. Senior Professor Pathmalal Manage, The Vice-Chancellor, of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura signed the MoU on behalf of the University and Mr Pradeep Yasaratne, the Chief Secretary, of Western Provincial Council signed the MoU on behalf of the Aquaculture Development Centre. The event was graced by the presence of Honorable Governor Air Marshal Roshan Gunathilake. Senior Prof. Pradeep Jayaweera, Dean, Faculty of Urban and Aquatic Bioresources, Dr. Erandi Pathirana, Head, Department of Aquatic Bioresources and members of the Department, Mr Chandana Ranaweeraarachchi, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Land, Irrigations, Fisheries and Livestock Development of the Western Provincial Council, Dr. K.K. Sarath, Provincial Director, Animal Production and Health, were also present at this momentous event.
