Can we eradicate hunger by mangrove conservation ?
Posted on April 20th, 2018

Dr Sarath Obeysekera

Priorities are mixed up by Sri Lankan Delegation to Commonwealth Business forum in London

Sri Lanka to give leadership for mangrove conservation in Commonwealth countries”

FT / Friday, 20 April 2018 00:00

London: Sri Lanka has been named as the country to give leadership for the conservation of mangroves in Commonwealth countries during the 25th inaugural ceremony of Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), held yesterday .
At yesterday’s meeting, an active committee has been established under the leadership of Sri Lanka to share the knowledge and the procedure on mangrove conservation with other Commonwealth states.

I represented Sri Lankan Private sector to promote blue economy among common wealth countries with a view of developing Ocean related activities like Fishery .Aquaculture/Boat building, Marina development .Sri Lanka can enormously benefit by harnessing this area to develop economy We can generate income for poor fisher folks and to earn foreign money by exporting fish and also provide employment.

I regret to say the Department of Industry Commerce who organized the delegation have miserably failed .Instead of sending more representatives from such industries and entrepreneurs’, band wagon of Gem Traders, Batik Makers .Curry powder sellers etc. were given prominence.

Our mission to get commonwealth interested in blue economy was in the back seat.

There were no B2B meetings organized by the High Commission or Ministry for more important sectors .On the last day there was a breakfast meeting where Cameroon and Sri Lanka made presentations .Cameroon Embassy handed over a pack of documents with a memory stick to all participants, but our Embassy was not capable of even have such dossier .When I asked one of the Ministry Officer, whether I can find a way to hand over the brochures I carried, they were nor interested.

(I raise my hat only to the two Sri Lankans who made a presentation on Software sales  and port development .)

I spent my own money to travel and I was really disgusted to see the government officers on a jolly ride to London with no keen interest to promote our country and the more important industries

Gen traders and garment sellers were in the forefront

We need to learn from Africans?

Dr Sarath Obeysekera

One Response to “Can we eradicate hunger by mangrove conservation ?”

  1. Ratanapala Says:

    Looks like Simple Sirisena got another ‘dead rope’ to hang himself with from his sponsors in the West. In addition to wetting himself inordinately by touch of female skin he will this time return and lecture people of Polonnaruwa on the profitability of conserving mangrove forests.

    What a sorry picture Sri Lanka made in the International Stage since Simple Sirisena becoming Island’s leader. Disgrace to all those who voted this nimcompoop to office!

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