Integrated service centres Forty-seven regional hubs deliver licensing, advisory, and market access under one roof.
Innovation partnerships Collaborations with universities and global agencies unlock climate-ready species and feed systems.
Responsible stewardship Environmental compliance audits and biodiversity safeguards guide every investment decision.
Vision A thriving blue economy where every coastal community participates in sustainable aquaculture prosperity. Restoring ecosystems while expanding production responsibly. Balancing domestic nutrition goals with export-driven value. Building adaptive capacity for climate impacts and market shifts.
Mission Lead Sri Lanka’s aquaculture transformation through evidence-based policy, inclusive partnerships, and end-to-end support services. Translate research into commercially viable solutions for producers. Strengthen hatcheries, feed supply, and logistics networks nationwide. Equip communities with training, finance, and digital tools for growth.
82% Brackish water modernization Lagoon infrastructure rehabilitation delivered in nine coastal districts.
6.4K Producers trained in 2024 Competency-based modules covering feed optimisation, disease response, and market alignment.
28% Reduction in crop loss Predictive analytics and rapid advisory hotlines reduce downtime for producers.
17 Sustainability protocols Codified standards guiding responsible water use, welfare practices, and ecosystem safeguards.
📈 Economic Impact & Production Growth Targeted interventions drive consistent increases in output, foreign earnings, and sector resilience. 116,890 MT total aquaculture production in 2022, up 12,440 MT from 2021. 18% growth in inland fish harvests underlines productivity gains. Sector contribution reached approximately Rs. 79 billion in 2022. Fish export value hit Rs. 78,969 million (USD 260.2M) from Jan–Nov 2024.
🏛 Infrastructure Development & Capacity Building Next-generation hatcheries and community-led facilities strengthen the aquaculture value chain. Japan & FAO invest USD 3M (2024–2025) to upgrade Inginiyagala and three more centres. Community mini hatcheries established in Batticaloa, Anuradhapura, and Monaragala. Live fingerling transportation bowsers deployed to improve survival and reach. Rs. 100M allocated in 2024 for modernising broodstock centres at Udawalawa, Dambulla, Sevanapitiya, Rambodagalla, and Inginiyagala.
🐟 Fish Seed Production & Distribution Reliable supplies of high-quality fingerlings underpin national restocking and commercial success. 145.43M fingerlings produced in 2022; NAQDA delivered 33% of national output. 47.70M freshwater prawn post-larvae issued, enabling 680 MT harvests. 188M fry, fingerlings, and post-larvae stocked in reservoirs during 2022. Late 2024 pricing reforms introduced cost-sharing for sustainable hatchery operations.
🤝 Community Empowerment & Livelihood Development Shared prosperity initiatives extend aquaculture benefits to rural households and coastal communities. AquaLivelihood project (Aug 2025) with SAARC Development Fund empowers 11,000 small-scale families. Extensive training, technical assistance, and extension services support producers nationwide. Sea cucumber culture scaled to 1,000 hectares in the Northern Province, engaging nearly 600 operators.
🌊 Research, Innovation & Sustainable Practices Long-term stewardship balances ecological health with economic growth. 2025 NAQDA–NARA MoU unlocks joint research and shared laboratory facilities. Closed, semi-closed, and recirculated systems promoted for shrimp and finfish since 2005. Integrated coastal zone management plans safeguard sensitive ecosystems and communities.
Founding & Mandate 1999: Ministry’s Aquaculture Development Division transformed into NAQDA via Act No. 53 of 1998. 2010: Headquarters relocated to purpose-built premises at Pelawatte, Battaramulla.
National Infrastructure & Coverage Countrywide network includes 10 freshwater breeding centres, 3 freshwater prawn centres, 3 ornamental fish centres, a multi-species marine finfish hatchery, and a sea cucumber hatchery. Flagship facilities span Udawalawa, Dambulla, Inginiyagala, Nuwara Eliya, Kalawewa, Polonnaruwa, Pambala, Thillawatawena, Kallarawa, Rambodagalle, Ginigathhena, Sewanapitiya, Dharmapuram, and Oleithuduwai.
Production Growth (2022 Snapshot) Inland & aquaculture production reached 116,890 MT in 2022 (+12% YoY); inland fisheries climbed 18% to 100,930 MT. Sector generated Rs. 79 billion for the economy; shrimp export FX rose 56% to Rs. 13,175 million and ornamental fish exports 70% to Rs. 7,143 million.
Fish Seed Supply & Stocking 230.38M fry and 145.43M fingerlings produced in 2022 (+30% YoY), with 188M fry/fingerlings/post-larvae distributed to reservoirs. Free seed programme issued 99.04M fingerlings, 55.82M fry, and 33.22M freshwater prawn post-larvae; 47.70M PL stocked across 167 tanks, yielding 680 MT harvest.
Mariculture & High-Value Species Sea cucumber and seaweed harvests in 2022 recorded at 563 MT and 271 MT, with ~100 ha under seaweed farming. Multi-species marine finfish hatchery (Batticaloa) issued 64,900 fingerlings in 2021, accelerating seabass expansion.
Partnerships & Capacity Innovations Japan–FAO (2024) project strengthens inland fisheries with digital tools, live fish transport, and hatchery upgrades. SAARC AquaLivelihood (2025) launched in Colombo to empower small-scale producers; NAQDA–NARA MoU enables shared research infrastructure.
Mandate expansion 2004 Mandate expanded for national aquaculture growth NAQDA is empowered to regulate, promote, and coordinate aquaculture beyond the coastal belt, enabling nationwide impact.
Service centres 2012 Regional service centre network launched Integrated service hubs introduce licensing, hatchery support, extension, and market facilitation programmes across the island.
Digital pilots 2016 Digital data platform pilots begin IoT monitoring of water quality and stock health begins across four lagoons, laying groundwork for smart aquaculture.
Climate resilience 2021 Climate resilience protocols National guidelines launch with multi-sector partners to protect ecosystems while scaling production responsibly.
Blue Economy Pact 2024 Blue Economy Pact A collaborative pact aligns communities, investors, and innovation hubs to deliver inclusive blue economy growth.
Board Chair Mr. Kithsiri Dharmapriya Sets policy direction, represents NAQDA at Cabinet-level, and chairs the Board of Directors. Governance Strategic Partnerships
Director General Dr. (Mrs.) J. M. Asoka Leads day-to-day operations, national programmes, and cross-ministry coordination to deliver aquaculture outcomes. Policy Execution Performance
Board Member Dr. Ranjani Perera Oversees research and innovation steering committee, ensuring science-backed industry expansion. Innovation Research
Board Member Mr. S. Senanayake Provides financial stewardship, audit oversight, and fiscal governance for national projects. Finance Audit
Freshwater Vacancy — Acting: M. V. Dharmadasa Guides inland production clusters, broodstock programmes, and reservoir cage initiatives. Reservoirs Tilapia
Coastal & Marine Vacancy — Acting: M. G. G. Gunasena Drives shrimp, mud crab, and sea cucumber clusters, and manages hatchery accreditation. Mariculture Compliance
Finance Mr. Nilantha Dissanayake Manages capital allocation, donor reporting, and enterprise budgeting across programmes. Budget Donor Reporting
HR & Administration Mr. W. M. I. K. Wijesekara Leads people strategy, recruitment, and workforce development across NAQDA’s national footprint. People Ops Capacity Building