President explores possibility of finding maritime jobs for Sri Lankans

Monday, 1 June 2020 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Plans to brand Colombo and Galle Ports as global hubs for marine crew change

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa recently said Sri Lanka must explore the possibility of finding employment for youth at prominent shipping companies in the world in the context of current situation where major shipping lines are facing labour shortages in the international market due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This was discussed during a meeting with the representatives of leading local shipping companies at the Presidential Secretariat. The possibility for Sri Lankans working in foreign ships which are sailing from east to west close to the southern coastal belt to enter and leave from the Galle Harbour was also discussed. The representatives of the shipping companies revealed that daily more than 300 trade vessels sail 10 nautical miles away from the Galle Port.

They pointed out that creating an environment for those sailors to return to their respective countries via Sri Lanka would pave the way to generate huge foreign exchange revenue. President Rajapaksa stressed that this opportunity could be used to promote SriLankan Airlines as well. It was pointed out at the meeting that the Galle Harbour could be developed into a Global Crew Exchange Hub. The President instructed the officials to adhere to health guidelines and regulations in the course of implementing this program.

Of the 1.6 million global shipping crew, 16,000 or 1% of the total are Sri Lankans. They annually contribute $ 300 million to the Sri Lankan economy. President Rajapaksa added that a twofold increase in the number of Sri Lankans in the field would double the country’s foreign exchange income. With the assurance of a quality-centric service to the foreign naval corporations, Sri Lankan employees can secure more opportunities to work for longer periods in foreign vessels, positively affecting the local economy.Secretary to the President Dr. P.B Jayasundera, Principal Advisor to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Commander of the Sri Lankan Navy Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva, Sri Lanka Port Authority Chairman Retired General Daya Ratnayake and several heads of a number of prominent naval corporations were present at the discussion.