By Sarath Obeysekera I returned home after years abroad—hardened not by comfort, but by experience. From the oil fields of Baku, to the frozen gas lines of Orenburg, to the disciplined industrial floors of Moscow, and further west into the offshore precision of Norway and refinery construction in the United Kingdom—the journey had been long, […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera Sri Lanka today faces a moment of quiet urgency. Global conflicts, particularly in the Middle East, are likely to reverse labour flows that have sustained our economy for decades. Thousands of Sri Lankan workers—skilled, semi-skilled, and domestic—may return home within a short span of time. If unprepared, this will strain our economy. […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera Sri Lanka often speaks proudly of being a rapidly developing nation with digital capabilities and highly skilled IT professionals. Yet, in many basic public utility services we still operate in a manner that belongs to the past century. A simple example is the way electricity and water meters are read. In many […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera This is just an assumption for decision makers to be watchful information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) cannot legally change fuel QR quota allocations for personal interests in Sri Lanka. But How the QR Fuel System Worked The National Fuel Pass (QR system) was introduced in 2022 during the fuel […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera Sri Lanka today struggles with fertilizer shortages, high import costs, and a heavy dependence on foreign suppliers for a commodity that is essential for our agricultural survival. Few people remember that decades ago Sri Lanka possessed the capability to manufacture fertilizer locally with the assistance of world-class engineering firms. During my early […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera J R Jayewardene came to power in 1977 and handed over harnessing of the Hydro power potential to his trusted young Gamini Dissanayake . Proposals and funding from Western countries and Sweden ,discussions  negotiations ,extensive travelling to fix deals ,and final output was accelerated high priced power plants and dams  along Mahawali […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera The world is once again moving towards a period of geopolitical uncertainty. Conflicts in the Middle East and tensions among major powers are beginning to disrupt global supply chains. While the headlines focus on military developments and oil prices, another silent crisis may soon emerge — the global shortage of fertiliser. Sri […]

By Sarath Obeysekera The rapidly changing geopolitical environment is forcing nations to rethink their economic strategies and global positioning. Conflicts in several regions, shifting trade patterns, and emerging security concerns are gradually reshaping the global economic landscape. For Sri Lanka, these developments present not only challenges but also an opportunity to reposition itself as a […]

By Sarath Obeysekera The possibility of wider geopolitical conflict in several regions of the world is a matter of global concern. Wars bring immense human suffering and economic disruption. However, history shows that nations which think strategically during turbulent times can position themselves to protect their economies and strengthen national resilience. Sri Lanka, located at […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera  Many countries start offshore and ship repair industries during periods when other regional yards are constrained by geopolitics. The concept of developing Trincomalee as a repair / lay-up / offshore support hub is still realistic if positioned correctly. ⚓ 1. Regional Shipyard Situation Major Middle Eastern yards you mentioned include: Tanker repair […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera A UK passport is issued by the HM Passport Office under the authority of the UK Home Office. Legally: What foreign immigration officers are allowed to do Immigration authorities in another country (including Sri Lanka) may only place standard immigration markings, such as: These are not statements about nationality. They simply record […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera After returning to Sri Lanka on 7th March  from Singapore, I experienced an unpleasant situation at Bandaranaike International Airport immigration again  I presented my valid Sri Lankan passport at the counter. The young immigration officer then asked to see my UK passport as well, since I am a dual citizen. Although I […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera Quote Mr. Sarath Obeysekera, what you describe is actually a very valuable experience that very few engineers from Sri Lanka have had. Your story reflects three important things: technical exposure, international systems discipline, and strategic thinking. Unfortunately, the difficulty you face in Sri Lanka is something many experienced professionals encounter. Let me […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera My proposal to establish a tank farm in Hambantota with a partner from Jebel Ali could have created a regional petroleum storage and trading hub. Hambantota’s location near the main East–West shipping lane is extremely valuable. If implemented: Unfortunately, as I noted, corruption and political interference often stalled such projects. Development of Muthurajawela […]

Dr. Sarath Obeysekera  Chairman SLPA  Dear Dr. Parakram As Chairman of the Advisory Board appointed to promote the development of Clappenburg Bay — where offshore oil rigs are currently laid up — I wish to bring to your attention several important matters requiring urgent clarification. Over the past several years, we have worked consistently toward […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera Sri Lanka’s recent history of corporate collapses — particularly in civil construction and marine engineering — raises uncomfortable but unavoidable questions. Why do once-celebrated conglomerates, entrusted with billion-rupee public projects, end up under restructuring or liquidation? Why do banks absorb massive losses while corporate leaders often appear insulated? And why does the […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera New Ports Authority chairman may have a daunting task to suppress bureaucracy in the Port  Port authority  deployed ADB  Asiandevelopment Bank to carry  out  a master plan to develop .Trincomalee Harbour So far no action had been taken implement the ADB suggested proposals  Recent submission  by EDB to obtain green light to […]

Submitted by: Sarath Obeysekera Chairman / Marine & Offshore Engineering Specialist EDB Advisory Board Member Strategic Inclusion of Trincomalee Offshore Engineering & Marine Hub in the National Export Development Plan (2025–2029) Submitted by: Sarath Obeysekera Chairman / Marine & Offshore Engineering Specialist EDB Advisory Board Member To: Hon. Minister of Industries Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka […]

By Eng. Sarath Obeysekera In 1984, I returned to Sri Lanka after working in Norway’s oil and gas industry, bringing with me experience in advanced welding technologies and offshore engineering. I joined the then state-controlled Colombo Dockyard PLC as a consulting engineer with one objective: to upgrade our industrial capability to international standards. During that […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera My wife and I recently arrived in Colombo from Singapore on a late-night flight. As dual citizens, I hold both a Sri Lankan passport and a British passport. As is my usual practice, I presented both passports to the immigration officer, since officers typically request to see them. To my surprise, the […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera Ex samples Galle yacht yard, Beruwala / Mutwal boat yards, Trincomalee offshore engineering hub—all show the same failure  1. Policy approval without policy protection Projects are: So when: Permissions get cancelled, leases revoked, or files frozen Investors don’t fear Sri Lanka’s skills or location. They fear reversal risk. 2. Public institutions acting […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera Across Sri Lanka and worldwide, a clear mismatch exists between academic qualifications and industry expectations. Universities and technical institutions produce thousands of graduates every year, yet employers—especially in engineering, shipbuilding, oil & gas, and heavy industry—continue to struggle to find job-ready professionals. The gap is not intelligence or theoretical knowledge; it is […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera I am proposing to align with ADB / World Bank / Blue Economy frameworks: Sri Lanka’s unfair advantages Sri Lanka already has nautical tourism  we just never packaged it. Your Negombo yacht station idea is particularly strong Negombo is: This is exactly how: built billion-dollar segments. 2. Can  We do something about it? […]

By Sarath Obeysekera The recent article Helming a Sea Change: Building the Future Workforce for US Shipbuilding” (January 12, 2026) correctly identifies shipbuilding as a cornerstone of national strength, economic resilience, and security. Ships still carry more than 80 percent of global trade, and yet the United States—once a dominant maritime power—now accounts for barely […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera It is utmost important that Sti Lanka develops vocational training educational revolution to train our youngsters Proposed curriculum will help them students to get into a highly paid employment  IDMNC ADVANCED WELDING ACADEMY GALLE  Proposed Refresher Training Program for Overseas Employment 7-Day Intensive Refresher Course in MMAW & FCAW 1. Program Title Intensive […]

Dr. Sarath Obeysekera Investor & Project Promoter Open Letter to Ministry of Investment Promotion, Chairman – UDA, Director General – BOI, President’s office Director of office of digitisation  Dear Sir / Madam, Sri Lanka urgently needs to exert far greater pressure on the digitisation and streamlining of statutory approvals for investment projects, particularly those involving skills […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera Colombo Dockyard Limited (CDL) remains one of Sri Lanka’s most valuable yet under-leveraged strategic assets in the maritime and marine engineering sector. Its location, skilled workforce, dry dock facilities, and legacy capabilities position it as a natural anchor for Sri Lanka’s emergence as a regional maritime hub. Post-Privatisation Reality Since privatisation, the […]

Dr. Sarath Obeysekera  Lessons from Hambantota and the Way Forward 1. Executive Summary Sri Lanka’s strategic location along the East–West international shipping route presents a unique opportunity to develop a high-value marine and offshore industrial economy, rather than relying solely on port-based logistics and transshipment activities. In 2015, a comprehensive proposal was submitted to develop […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera Subject: Urgent actions to develop marina, repair & maintenance (R&M) and leisure-yacht infrastructure at Galle and strategic fishery harbours (including Modera) to capture high-value nautical tourism and marine services export opportunities. Prepared by: Dr Sarath Obeysekera  Executive summary Sri Lanka has an immediate, realistic opportunity to develop a world-class cluster for luxury […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera Colombo Dockyard’s majority shareholder, Onomichi Dockyard of Japan, recently divested 51% of its shares to an Indian shipyard.  The transaction, I am informed, was carefully structured by Sri Lankan legal and financial professionals, without ministerial influence.  The final stage is now underway, with additional shares being issued to existing shareholders. This development […]