The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) marked the completion of another of its large-scale tsunami reconstruction activities, the revitalisation of the Puranawella fishing harbour.

The harbour is the source of livelihoods for 11,000 fishermen and family members in this tsunami affected area., states a US Embassy release.

The Puranawella project is the largest of three fishing harbours rehabilitated under USAID's Sri Lanka Tsunami Reconstruction Programme and cost almost $5 million to complete. In total, USAID efforts to boost the nation's fishing industry following the 2004 tsunami have assisted over 22,000 fishermen and their families in southern Sri lanka.

All three projects have been developed in partnership with the Ceylon Fishery Harbours Corporation under the aegis of the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.