Award · 10 October 2018
Divron Bioventures awarded by President M. Sirisena for contribution to inland fisheries and aquaculture
Honoured at the Miridiya Varuna 2018 awards for our contribution to developing and uplifting Sri Lanka's inland fisheries and aquaculture sector.
From left to right: Hon. Ameer Ali Shihabdeen, Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development; Dr. Tim DeJager, Director, Divron Bioventures; Mr. Shan Meemanage, Director, Divron Bioventures; President Hon. Maithripala Sirisena; State Minister Hon. Dilip Weddearachchi.
Divron Bioventures (Pvt.) Ltd. was honoured with an award presented by President Hon. Maithripala Sirisena for its significant contribution to the development and uplifting of the inland fisheries and aquaculture sector of Sri Lanka.
The award, from the National Aquaculture Development Authority of Sri Lanka, was presented at the Miridiya Varuna 2018 awards ceremony held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall on October 10, 2018. It was received by Divron directors Dr. Tim DeJager and Mr. Shan Meemanage.
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Vijith Vijayamuni de Zoysa, State Minister Dileepa Wedaarachchi, Deputy Minister Ameer Ali, NAQDA Chairman Nuwan Prasanna Madavanarachchi, Director General Nimal Chandrarathne and other officials of NAQDA were also present at the ceremony.
The award recognizes Divron's commitment to develop and grow export markets for sustainable seafood from Sri Lanka, characterized by exceptional quality and high value. The value chain Divron has built involves direct participation and benefit to thousands of inland fishers who are managing and harvesting the giant freshwater prawn and other fish from the inland reservoirs of Sri Lanka.
These reservoirs, and the fisher communities whose livelihoods depend on them, are an important resource for the future growth of aquaculture and fisheries in Sri Lanka. Divron plans to extend its model of development to coastal fisheries and aquaculture, utilizing lagoons and coastal areas for sustainable production and harvesting of crabs, oysters, clams and other crustaceans.
Divron developed a value chain model that enhanced the capacity of rural communities and integrated it together with the commercial and technical advancement of sustainable aquaculture. The company works under a Public-Private Memorandum of Understanding with the National Aquaculture Development Authority, whose directors and extension officers facilitate development of this value chain.
