Voyage Sri Lanka 2025 maritime conference unveils blue economy potential in Colombo

The second edition of the maritime conference Voyage Sri Lanka 2025, organised by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board in collaboration with key stakeholders from the public and private sectors, was successfully held yesterday, at The Kingsbury Hotel, Colombo, with the participation of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Hadunnetti.

Under the theme ‘Unlocking Sri Lanka’s Blue Economy Potential’, the conference aimed to highlight Sri Lanka’s contribution to the blue economy and its potential as a global maritime hub.

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board Chairman stated that the Sri Lanka Export Development Board remains committed to fostering a globally competitive marine and offshore services sector by promoting innovation, human capital development and international collaboration.

Addressing the Voyage Sri Lanka 2025 maritime conference, Hadunnetti emphasised that Sri Lanka’s geographic location is advantageous for the maritime industry. He highlighted that infrastructure development plays a crucial role in leveraging this advantage.

He stated that the ministry is working on formulating necessary policies to achieve international competitiveness in the maritime industry. Hadunnetti also invited international investors to invest in Sri Lanka’s maritime sector, assuring that the Industry Ministry would provide all necessary facilities and support. 

Labor Minister and Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando delivered the keynote address on unlocking Sri Lanka’s blue economy through sustainable maritime investments and economic transformation.

Asian Development Bank (ADB) Country Director Takafumi Kadono spoke on the ADB’s strategic partnership in Sri Lanka’s blue economy transformation, lessons learned and future investment opportunities.

The conference was attended by Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Anura Karunatilaka, Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry Secretary Tilaka Jayasundara, Western Province Governor Hanif Yusoof, Board of Investment of Sri Lanka Chairman Arjuna Herath, Export Development Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mangala Wijesinghe along with the officials from the Export Development Board, heads of other institutions, industry leaders, partners and a large number of delegates from Sri Lanka and overseas.

Representatives from the Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Ministry, Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Sri Lanka Navy, Marine Industry Council of Sri Lanka, Colombo Dockyard and GAC Group Sri Lanka participated in the conference.

International development partners including the ADB, International Maritime Organisation and United Nations Development Programme as well as academic experts from the University of Moratuwa and University of Ruhuna and local and international experts participated as resource persons at the event.

The conference was supported by Lanka Marine Services, Seylan Bank PLC, Lanka IOC PLC, Hayleys Advantis Limited, the Marine Industry Council of Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau as sponsors of the programme.