"We are very pleased to be able to contribute to restoring livelihoods of the Ampara fishermen, Norwegian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs," Mr Vidar Helgesen, said during a visit to Kalmunai on Wednesday.

The new allocation of funds comes in addition to the 755 million rupees already pledged by Norway for the fisheries sector in Sri Lanka. Norway has already funded the repair of boats and the replacement of fishing nets in tsunami-affected communities in the South, East and North of the country. With the new allocation, the total Norwegian contribution to the fisheries sector comes to more than 1 billion rupees. Further Norwegian funding will be made possible as soon as the Post-Tsunami Operational Management Structure (P-TOMS) becomes operational.

"I see P-TOMS as vital to secure rapid reconstruction and development in Ampara District," Mr Helgesen said.