Dr Sarath Obeysekera

When I read above new item, I find that every country which underwent a difficult time during wars has developed quite fast and started their own industries. After the second world war Japan,Germany ,and many European countries including Russia developed quite fast .They started their own Industries.Germany and Russia built tanks and warships and now building ships .Japan is building cars and electronic equipment .

We had war and we built Fast attack crafts and tugs during my time in dockyard .We built passenger vessels .Dockyard built supply boat to India .

Now SLPA being a state organization is buying or hiring tugs despite the fact that Sri Lankan Yards can build them .

I can guess the reason   .

Politicians go for foreign purchases for some obvious reasons, Officers keep rejecting offers from local yards as they can travel to foreign countries when they give order .

It is high time that the government identifies the companies who can build Tugs etc and ask for offers and evaluate .I am sure that our prices will be lower .Sri Lanka will not only develop industries but save money going out of the country.

This is how India and China and even Vietnam is growing fast.

We have to develop a nationalistic feeling not by encouraging various extreme elements but giving recognition to what we can do in the island .

We are good in making Galkatas   and Hakkapatta” and the business is surely flourishing !!!!!

But we import even shoes and helmets for the soldiers even now !

Dr Sarath Obeysekera