National Aquaculture Development Authority

National Aquaculture Development Authority of Sri Lanka

NAQDA is the statutory authority established under Act No. 53 of 1998 to develop aquaculture and inland fisheries in Sri Lanka. It operates under the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources and provides public services that support food security, export-oriented aquaculture, sustainable resource management, and community livelihoods.

Vision & Mission Organisational Structure
1998 Established under Act No. 53 of 1998
22 District aquaculture extension offices island-wide
Battaramulla Head office in Pelawatte, Battaramulla
Official website NAQDA Research institution NARA
National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA) official logo

Established 1998

National Aquaculture Development Authority

Statutory authority under Act No. 53 of 1998

At a glance

Legal basisAct No. 53 of 1998 (amended 2006)
Parent ministryMinistry of Fisheries, Aquatic & Ocean Resources
Head officePelawatte, Battaramulla
About NAQDA

Public service delivery for aquaculture and inland fisheries

NAQDA provides official services for aquaculture and inland fisheries development, including training and extension advice, fish seed supply, licensing and permits, technical support, investment facilitation, and export-oriented sector support.

  • Dedicated to the development of sustainable aquaculture and inland fisheries across Sri Lanka.
  • Supports national food security through responsible aquaculture services and technical guidance.
  • Works through district extension offices and national centres to support communities and stakeholders.

District extension offices

Twenty-two district aquaculture extension offices deliver licensing, advisory, and service coordination support island-wide.

Official services

Services include training, extension advice, fish seed supply, licensing, import and export permits, and technical support.

Responsible stewardship

NAQDA’s objectives include sustainable management and conservation of aquatic resources, good governance, and accountability.

Portrait supplied for the Office of the Chairman, NAQDA Office of the Chairman
Chairman's Message

Serving national food security through responsible aquaculture

To promote sustainable and responsible aquaculture practices that ensure national food security, support export growth, provide innovative and efficient sector services, and empower communities through capacity building and technical support.

Chairman, NAQDA National Aquaculture Development Authority of Sri Lanka
Organisational Structure
සංවිධාන ව්‍යුහය· நிறுவன அமைப்பு· Organisational Structure

NAQDA's governance is defined by the National Aquaculture Development Authority of Sri Lanka Act, No. 53 of 1998, as amended by the (Amendment) Act, No. 23 of 2006. The chart below shows the statutory chain of accountability — from the subject Minister, to the Board of Directors, to the Director-General, and the operational network.

Minister in charge of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources

Sets policy, issues general and special directions, may order investigations, and makes regulations.

Act ss. 27–29 & 37

Board of Directors

Vested with the administration, management and control of the affairs of the Authority. Chaired by a Chairman appointed by the Minister from among the Directors.

Act s. 3 (amended 2006) · Chairman s. 5(7)

Director-General

Appointed by the Board as chief executive; responsible for implementing Board decisions. Attends and speaks at Board meetings but does not vote.

Act s. 13 · s. 6(4) added 2006

Five divisions under the Director-General, headed by Directors (Act s. 12(k))

Freshwater Aquaculture Development

Inland aquaculture and culture-based fisheries in reservoirs and tanks — fingerling stocking, breeding and freshwater production.

Coastal Aquaculture Development

Brackish-water and marine aquaculture — shrimp, sea cucumber, crab, seaweed and mariculture along the coast.

Extension

Farmer training, technical advice and knowledge transfer delivered through the district office network.

Finance

Financial management, accounts and procurement, and administration of the Authority's Fund under the Act.

Human Resource Development

Staffing, capacity building, general administration and institutional development.

Field network & statutory officers

22 District Extension Offices

District Aquaculture Extension Offices delivering NAQDA services to inland and coastal fish farmers island-wide.

Development Centres & Hatcheries

National Aquaculture Development Centres, breeding centres and hatcheries producing fish seed, broodstock and fingerlings.

Licensing Officers

Officers nominated to exercise licensing powers introduced by the 2006 amendment (ss. 14A–14B).

Divisional structure per NAQDA Annual Reports (2021–2022); governance per Act No. 53 of 1998 as amended by Act No. 23 of 2006.

Board composition · 13 Directors

Current statutory composition under Section 3, as substituted by Act No. 23 of 2006

Appointed Directors — five (5)

Persons of integrity with wide experience and proven ability in inland fisheries and aquaculture, science and technology, industry, commerce, finance, administration or law — appointed by the Minister for a three-year term.

Ex-officio Directors — eight (8)

  • 1 Director-General of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
  • 2 Chairman, Ceylon Fisheries Corporation
  • 3 Chairman, Governing Board of NARA (National Aquatic Resources Research & Development Agency)
  • 4 Officer of the Ministry in charge of Finance
  • 5 Officer of the Ministry in charge of Irrigation
  • 6 Officer of the Ministry in charge of Mahaweli Development
  • 7 Officer of the Ministry in charge of Agriculture
  • 8 Officer of the Ministry in charge of Environment & Natural Resources

The Board meets at least monthly with a quorum of five (Act s. 6). Individual office-holder names change over time and should be confirmed from official NAQDA or ministry notices.

What the 2006 amendment changed

Act No. 23 of 2006 (the "new" Act) analysed against the original 1998 enactment

Original — 1998
  • Board = 8 appointed + 7 ex-officio = 15
  • Ex-officio were ministry officers (incl. Wild Life Conservation)
  • Object: develop aquatic resources & the aquaculture industry
Amended — 2006
  • Board = 5 appointed + 8 ex-officio = 13
  • Adds DG Fisheries, Chairman CFC & Chairman NARA by office
  • Object: develop & manage aquaculture, aquatic resources & operations
  • NewDirector-General may attend & speak at Board meetings (s. 6(4)).
  • NewLicensing Officers — nomination, powers & functions (ss. 14A & 14B).
  • NewDuty to submit annual reports; demolition of unauthorised structures (ss. 32A & 32B).
  • ChangedFunctions expanded to culture-based fisheries in reservoirs, brackish-water aquaculture & mariculture (s. 11).

Statutory functions & powers

Sections 11 & 12 of the Act

Functions (s. 11)

  • Develop aquaculture, aquaculture operations & culture-based fisheries in perennial and seasonal reservoirs
  • Create employment through freshwater, brackish-water & coastal aquaculture and mariculture
  • Promote high-value species, including ornamental fish, for export
  • Optimum, environmentally-friendly use of aquatic resources; conserve bio-diversity
  • Promote small, medium & large-scale private-sector investment

Powers (s. 12)

  • Initiate research & resource surveys; collect and disseminate information
  • Establish & manage aquaculture centres
  • Assist entrepreneurs, inland fishermen & fish farmers
  • Establish departments, divisions & regional offices
  • Levy fees, enter contracts & joint ventures, and manage the Fund
Acts & Regulations — downloads Act No. 53 of 1998 Amendment No. 23 of 2006

Legal basis: initial capital Rs. 50 million (s. 21); the financial year is the calendar year (s. 24); accounts are audited under Article 154 of the Constitution (s. 25). Where the Sinhala and Tamil texts are inconsistent, the Sinhala text prevails (s. 40).

Governance

Governance and accountability

NAQDA is a statutory authority established by Act No. 53 of 1998 and operates under the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources. Current office holders should be verified from official NAQDA or ministry notices.

Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekara, Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources
Policy oversight

Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekara

Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources.

Official ministry portrait Ministry profile
Hon. Rathna Gamage, Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources
Ministerial support

Hon. Rathna Gamage

Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources.

Official ministry portrait Ministry profile
Portrait supplied for the Office of the Chairman, NAQDA
Board leadership

Chairman

Chairs the Board of Directors and supports the Authority's statutory governance.

Portrait available in project media
Chief executive

Director-General

Implements Board decisions and directs the operational work of the Authority.

Awaiting verified appointment details

Minister and Deputy Minister details were verified against the official Ministry of Fisheries website on 14 July 2026. NAQDA office-holder details must be confirmed from an official NAQDA publication before release.

Institutional structure

The authority delivers aquaculture and inland fisheries development services through its head office, district extension offices, and national service centres.

Legal Basis

Act No. 53 of 1998

Operational Since

1999

District Network

22 Offices

Head Office

Pelawatte
To promote sustainable and responsible aquaculture practices that ensure national food security, support export growth, provide innovative and efficient sector services, and empower communities through capacity building and technical support.
Official mission statement

Reporting context

Official institutional alignment
  1. Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources
  2. National Aquaculture Development Authority of Sri Lanka
  3. Head office: 41/1, New Parliament Road, Pelawatte, Battaramulla
  4. District Aquaculture Extension Offices island-wide

Public service functions

Functions listed in official sources
Service

Training and extension advice

Includes advisory support and training through NAQDA service channels.

Service

Fish fingerling and seed supply

Fish seed supply is provided through Aquaculture Development Centres and related services.

Service

Licensing and permits

Includes aquaculture licensing and import/export permit services.

Service

Technical support

Includes disease, water-quality, investment, and export-promotion guidance.

Accountability note

No unverified office-holder names shown
  • Current appointments: Names and designations change over time and must be confirmed from official NAQDA or ministry publications before publishing.
  • District contacts: Direct district phone numbers are not shown here unless supplied and verified by NAQDA.
  • Official contact: Use +94 11 288 2227 or info@naqda.gov.lk for verified head-office contact.
Official Direction

Vision, Mission & Objectives

The official institutional direction of the National Aquaculture Development Authority.

Vision

Vision of NAQDA

To be the leading aquaculture service provider in South Asia, contributing to national food security and economic prosperity through sustainable and export-oriented aquaculture.

Mission

Mission of NAQDA

  • To promote and develop sustainable aquaculture practices that ensure the long-term assurance of food security for the nation.
  • To enhance Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange earnings by supporting export-oriented aquaculture initiatives.
  • To provide innovative, efficient, and environmentally responsible services for the growth of the aquaculture sector.
  • To empower communities and stakeholders through technical support, capacity building, and responsible resource management.

Mission Statement

To promote sustainable and responsible aquaculture practices that ensure national food security, support export growth, provide innovative and efficient sector services, and empower communities through capacity building and technical support.

Objectives

What we set out to achieve

Ensure food security by increasing inland fisheries and aquaculture production
Increased export earnings
Minimized post-harvest losses and increased value addition
Improved socio-economic conditions of the fisher community
Sustainable management and conservation of aquatic resources
Ensure Good Governance and Accountability
Verified facts

Official NAQDA information

This section keeps to information available from official NAQDA, Ministry and legal sources.

Legal basis

  • NAQDA was established by Act No. 53 of 1998.
  • The authority became operational in 1999.

Parent ministry

  • NAQDA operates under the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources.
  • Its official role covers aquaculture and inland fisheries development services.

District services

  • NAQDA has 22 District Aquaculture Extension Offices island-wide.
  • District officers support advisory, extension, and service coordination functions.

Species recorded in official sources

  • Shrimp, sea cucumber, seaweed, mud crab, ornamental fish, oyster, tilapia, and carp.
  • Species pages should show exact production values only when NAQDA supplies verified per-species data.
Our Journey

Milestones & Achievements

Key milestones in NAQDA's history and recent achievements, drawn from official public sources.

1998
Establishment

NAQDA Act No. 53 of 1998

Parliament established the National Aquaculture Development Authority of Sri Lanka.

1999
Operations

Authority became operational

NAQDA commenced work as the national authority for aquaculture and inland fisheries development.

2006
Legal reform

Amendment Act No. 23 of 2006

Reconstituted the Board of Directors, introduced Licensing Officers and a duty to submit annual reports.

2011
Regulation

Inland Fishery Regulations

Inland fishery management regulations published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 1733/24.

2025
Partnership

Japan & FAO inland fisheries project

Upgraded hatchery and live fingerling bowsers handed over at the Inginiyagala Aquaculture Development Centre, Ampara — under a US$3 million Japan-funded, FAO-implemented project.

2025
Research

NAQDA–NARA research MoU

Joint marine ornamental fish research established at the Kusala Bangadeniya Centre.

Signature programmes

Recent, verifiable achievements supporting Sri Lanka's fishing communities.

Rs. 2.8 Bn

Diyawara Diriya Loan Scheme

Concessionary finance disbursed to 1,772 beneficiaries at a 4% government interest subsidy (Phases 1 & 2).

11,000 families

AquaLivelihood Project

SAARC Development Fund initiative supporting small-scale aquaculture households across the country.

US$3 M

Japan–FAO centre upgrades

Strengthening four NAQDA Aquaculture Development Centres and community mini-hatcheries for fingerling production.

Sources: NAQDA Act No. 53 of 1998 & Amendment No. 23 of 2006; Gazette 1733/24; Embassy of Japan (26 Mar 2025); SAARC Development Fund; NAQDA.

Find Us

NAQDA Head Office & District Services

Contact NAQDA through the verified head-office channels or use the centres page to find service locations.

Head Office

  • Address:
    41/1, New Parliament Road,
    Pelawatte, Battaramulla,
    Sri Lanka
  • Phone: +94 11 288 2227
  • Alternate phone: +94 11 278 6495
  • Email: info@naqda.gov.lk
  • Office Hours:
    Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 16:00

Quick Access to Centres

NAQDA Head Office

National Aquaculture Development Authority — 41/1, New Parliament Road, Pelawatte, Battaramulla, Sri Lanka. Operating under the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources.

Contact the Head Office Organisational Structure