By Dr Sarath Obeysekera I recently watched a BBC documentary discussing the growing immigration debate in Sweden and the tightening of immigration policies across Scandinavia. It brought back vivid memories of my own working years in Norway during the 1980s. At that time, Scandinavia was one of the calmest and most orderly regions in the […]

By Sarath Obeysekera Last night, I watched a remarkable scene unfold on national television. The President of Sri Lanka openly challenged senior railway officials who were reluctant to permit donor-funded repairs to damaged homes due to Ditwa belonging to poor families occupying railway reservations. The officials spoke the language of files, regulations, and procedures. The […]

Sarath Obeysekera India’s decision to introduce massive incentives for shipbuilding component manufacturing is not merely an industrial policy. It is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s long-term maritime vision to transform India into one of the world’s leading naval and shipbuilding powers by 2047. Recent reports in The Economic Times reveal that the Indian government is preparing […]

Sarath Obeysekera  Sri Lanka’s Richard in the Day, Daniel in the Night” Immigration Comedy Sri Lanka proudly announces record tourist arrivals every month. Ministers smile, airports are busy, and hotels celebrate. But somewhere between the arrivals terminal and the Port City construction sites, something unusual seems to be happening. A man arrives with a visa […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera The rise and fall of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar remains one of the darkest chapters in modern criminal history. Escobar did not merely run a drug empire — he built a parallel power structure through fear, intimidation, bribery, and murder. Judges were assassinated. Journalists were silenced. Police chiefs were targeted. Politicians […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera Colombo Dockyard PLC which is a subsidiary of Mazagon Shipyard of India and Sri Lankan marine engineering companies could benefit substantially from India’s planned shipbuilding component manufacturing expansion — but only if they reposition quickly from traditional repair-oriented activities into integrated regional supply-chain participation. The Indian strategy is not merely about building ships. […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera  The proposed India–Sri Lanka land bridge must be viewed not merely as an infrastructure project, but as a long-term strategic and geopolitical decision with deep political, social, demographic, and security implications for Sri Lanka. At a time when Tamil Nadu politics is becoming increasingly assertive, Sri Lanka must proceed with extreme caution. […]

By Sarath Obeysekera The renewed call by India’s High Commissioner to fast-track a land bridge between Sri Lanka and India has reignited an important national debate.  There are serious concerns inside Sri Lanka, even hinted in public reactions and past debates: 1. Sovereignty & security concerns 2. Economic imbalance 3. Social & political resistance The […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera Since I joined Colombo Dockyard as CEO, the Deputy Finance Minister of Norway came to me requesting us to build UFAC, known as Ultra Fast Patrol Craft, similar to several aluminium crafts built for the Sri Lanka Navy. He wanted us to finance the project, either through financing from Sri Lanka, and […]

By Sarath Obeysekera The recent visit of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu to Sri Lanka and his discussions with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake mark an important step in strengthening bilateral relations between the two Indian Ocean neighbours. The signing of multiple agreements reflects goodwill, mutual respect, and a shared desire for cooperation. However, at a time […]

By Sarath Obeysekera Sri Lanka today stands at a decisive moment in its economic journey. While recent engagements with India have strengthened infrastructure and energy cooperation, the next phase of growth must come from industrialisation and export-led development. In this context, the recent agreements with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the anticipated visit of […]

Submitted by: Sarath Obeysekera (In view of the State Visit of the President of Maldives – 04–05 May 2026) 1. Introduction The forthcoming State Visit of the President of the Maldives presents a timely opportunity to enhance bilateral economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and Maldives, particularly in sectors where both countries possess complementary strengths. Sri […]

By Sarath Obeysekera Today 2nd May 2026 , I watched a programme on television where a young Tamil girl won Rs. 7.5 million in a contest. Beyond the excitement of the moment and the magnitude of the prize, what struck me most was the deeper message this carries for our country—especially for our younger generation. […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera 1. Develop Galle as a Boutique Luxury Marina Hub  not as mass port—focus on high-value, low-volume tourism Key components: 2. Policy & Regulatory Reforms (Critical – currently missing) Without this, the marina will fail. Competing hubs like Maldives already offer smoother entry. 3. Integrate with National Trade & Logistics Strategy This is […]

By Dr Sarath Obeysekera In many parts of the world, May Day is marked by loud demonstrations, political rallies, and street protests. However, in Norway, the observance of May 1st—known as International Workers’ Day—takes on a more measured and disciplined character, reflecting the country’s unique social and economic philosophy. Norway does in fact recognize May […]

By Sarath Obeysekera May Day has always been a day of colour, തൊഴില් spirit, and political expression in Colombo. For me, however, one particular May Day remains etched in memory—not for the pageantry, but for how close I came to witnessing history take a tragic turn. At the time, I was serving as Chairman of […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera In a world fractured by conflict, ideology, and economic struggle, there are nations that quietly rise above adversity. Vietnam stands as one such example—a country shaped by war, yet guided by discipline, patriotism, and spiritual grounding. Sri Lanka today finds itself at a crossroads, searching for models of resilience and unity. Vietnam […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera The core problem: labour shortage Middle East pull (especially if reconstruction or instability increases demand) can drain skilled workers like masons, bar benders, and carpenters from Sri Lanka. The Chamber of Construction Industry Sri Lanka has flagged this before—construction here is still heavily labour-intensive and slow to modernize. steel + prefabricationsteel structures […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera What are the lessons we can learn in Sri Lanka now run by a extreme ex communist party  It’s tempting to think the secret” is simply one-party rule, but that’s not what made China and Vietnam grow so fast. Many countries have had centralized political systems without achieving anything close to their […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera 1. Don’t abandon banks—but be selective Licensed commercial banks supervised by theCentral Bank of Sri Lanka are  still far safer than most finance companies. That said, don’t treat all banks as equal: Instead of asking which institution is safest,” assume none are risk-free. This way, even if one fails, you’re not wiped out. […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera Please find response from EX Indian CEO of Lanka IOC  Indian oil company in Trinco  Quote  Beautifully articulated. Temples and schools are important but less capital intensive and hence easier to manage. For major investment like developing Trincomalee and to have India involved in it, Govt to Govt push is a must […]

By Dr. Sarath Obeysekera Sri Lanka is no stranger to financial scandals. But what is truly alarming is not the scandals themselves—it is the complete absence of accountability at the highest level. From the infamous Central Bank bond scandal to the quiet collapse of finance companies and the near-fatal instability of licensed institutions, one question […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera 1. Stop thinking like a builder — start thinking like a dealmaker Sri Lanka’s mistake has been engineering-led development without parallel commercial strategy. What’s missing is aggressive anchor investor targeting. Without 5–10 global anchor tenants, the skyline will remain empty. 2. Re-negotiate utilization—not ownership The narrative that Sri Lanka lost” Hambantota Port […]

By Dr. Sarath Obeysekera The recent visit of Jagdeep Dhankhar to Sri Lanka has once again exposed a familiar pattern in India’s engagement with its southern neighbour—symbolism over substance, visibility over viability, and soft diplomacy masking strategic hesitation. Let me be clear at the outset: Sri Lanka must welcome goodwill. Assistance for schools, temples, and […]

By Dr. Sarath Obeysekera In 1984, I returned to Sri Lanka after working in the harsh, demanding offshore environment of the North Sea. There, welding was not just a trade—it was a science governed by precision, discipline, and unforgiving standards. When I joined Colombo Dockyard as a consulting engineer, I stepped into a yard that […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera Case study for Cololmbo dockyard/  Mazagon combination  For a product/chemical tanker in the ~30,000 DWT range: Why fillet welds are so high: Even though butt welds are fewer, they consume a large share of time and QA effort (full penetration, radiography, UT, class approval). Where fillet welds are concentrated During block construction […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera Marine sector development in India and Sri Lanka is an area that needs urgent attention  right  now, Sri Lanka can either lose skilled labor to a Middle East pull, or deliberately position itself as the alternative regional shipbuilding power   Trying to stop workers from leaving the country is not practical in a […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera Sri Lanka is now gripped by a new illusion—that artificial intelligence can somehow compensate for decades of poor decision-making, weak policy frameworks, and a chronic inability to act on opportunity. It cannot. Artificial intelligence is not a magician. It is not a policymaker. It is not a visionary. It is, at best, […]

Dr Sarath Obeysekera I raised query to AI as below  Quote  Secret of using AI resources for somone who wants generate a assay or an article  The person should have made some technical input and past resources and data into AI search engine  Ie  I keep searching about Trinco offshore development and need for FDI […]

By Sarath Obeysekera There was a time when Norway was a modest fishing nation at the edge of Europe—cold, remote, and largely dependent on the sea. Today, Norway stands as one of the most prosperous, disciplined, and forward-thinking societies in the world. Sri Lanka, by contrast, sits in the Indian Ocean with strategic advantages Norway […]