28 April 2016 12:00 am
Dr. Gunasekera was the first Sri Lankan to receive the membership of this prestigious international forum of maritime law specialists few years back, and was given the mandate to form the National Maritime Law Association (NMLA) in Sri Lanka.
In his capacity as the Executive Director of Ceylon Shipping Corporation, Dr. Gunasekera attends to various forms of duties at national sea carrier since January 2015. Prior to taking up of the said office under Arjuna Ranatunge, Minister of Ports and Shipping, Dr. Gunasekera acted as the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at CINEC Maritime Campus.
This is the second time where the particular Conference is to be held on US soil in the history of this international gathering. Primarily, CMI was established way back in 1897 with the objective of unifying maritime law as a compatible tool of application to the maritime industry worldwide as well for the harmonization of international trade rules and facilitate such trade that exists by the use of the sea. Since over 95 percent of world trade occupies sea as the main source on which transportation of goods and services take place, law relating to maritime activities has taken centre stage in many respects.
CMI Conference provides the ideal platform to discuss various current affairs in shipping thus focusing on resolving legal complexities that are been faced by many individuals and entities involved in the business. Individual membership of this prestigious organization is offered on a very selective basis referring to one’s expertise in the area of Maritime Law with a process that involves several interviews with this organization.
Dr. Gunasekera having obtained his PhD in International Commercial Maritime Law from University of Hamburg, Germany while being a scholar of the International Max Planck Research School for Maritime Affairs was quite fortunate to fulfill the eligibility criteria; thus presenting a strong case for Sri Lanka’s entry into the organization.
In his official capacity with the State, he is engaged in safeguarding the interests of the National Sea Carrier at a very crucial time where it has acquired two new break bulk vessels after a lapse of over thirty years in its proud history.
Ceylon Shipping Corporation (CSC) has well maintained a formidable existence as a state-owned shipping arm in the South Asian region with a sound financial background as a profitable entity of the General Treasury. Dr. Gunasekera, has also taken an active role with CMI in its revision of the York Antwerp Rules relating to General Average as a member of its international sub-committee on the subject matter. The main Conference , Assembly and the Plenary will take place during 3rd and 7th of May in Mid Town Hilton, Manhattan, New York City where it is expected to have the presence of 500+ maritime lawyers representing various jurisdictions of
the world.