The Government’s aim is to transform Sri Lanka as the busiest shipping base in the world helping to get a better contribution from it to the countries’ GDP, said Foreign Affairs Ministry Secretary, Prof. Admiral Jayanath Colombage.
Speaking at the World Maritime Day ceremony held in Colombo under the theme of this year’s event was ‘Sustainable Shipping for a Sustainable Planet’ at Cinnamon Lake he said that currently 72% of energy, 50% of containers and 35% of bulk cargo are transported across the Indian Ocean.
“As we know the Indian Ocean is the number one ocean for sea transportation and Sri Lanka could reap huge economic benefits through it in the future and the government is working towards this.”
The event was organized by IMO Goodwill Maritime Ambassador and the Vice President (Global) of the Nautical Institute, UK, Capt, Nish Wijayakulathilaka and was sponsored by Akalanka Ratnayake, Director International Marine services (Pvt) Ltd.
Prof. Colombage also said that the Sri Lankan Environment Protection Authority on Friday focused special attention towards the destruction caused by the Crude Oil Tanker MT New Diamond to the country’s sea environment and highlighted that investigation in this regard is still being carried out by relevant authorities.
He said the incident happened in the Indian Ocean and Sri Lanka is also in a strategic location in the Indian Ocean and the S Government has also taken important steps in this regard and discussions are currently going on.
A panel comprising a number of environmental researchers and environmental experts from universities including Dr. Leslie Hemachandra, Dr. Dan Malika Gunasekara, Eng. Saman Kumarasinghe and Prof. Nalaka Jayakodi also expressed views on the damage caused to the Lankan sea environment following a sudden fire which originated in the Crude Oil Tanker MT New Diamond.
The panel also highlighted the current situation and other relevant details of the environmental damage caused by the Crude Oil Tanker MT New Diamond. “We will also inform on what steps should be taken in this regard to be forwarded to the Attorney General for necessary action,” the panel members said.
IMO Goodwill Maritime Ambassador, Capt. Nish Wijayakulathilaka highlighted the importance of celebrating the `World Maritime Day’ and said the objective of holding this event was to increase the awareness on the importance of shipping safety, maritime security and the marine environment.
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