Dr Sarath Obeysekera

Need to think out of the box to attract FDI and offshore sector development This is the single point mooring buoy purchased by Ceylon petroleum corporation in 1986/87
Colombo Dockyard offered to assemble the mooring buoy in Cololmbo Dockyard on behalf of SBM/ IMODCO but due to unknown reasons CPC paid higher price and imported it 
We made a model in timber to ascertain assembly and welding on Licence and offered to build it 
That was 40 years ago 
We were to start offshore sector construction in 1985 since I returned from Norway after working in offshore industry 
Since that time we could not make a break through to start except few rigs repaired after docking of rigs 
Now it is 2025 and it is high time that part of Trincomalee Harbour is identified as a potential location 
Such type of oil rigs are brought to Trincomalee for lay up 
Sri Lanka should invite our own blue chip companies to invest and build workshop suitable to maintain equipment of rigs or assemble steel modules and re install using floating cranes
Such a high value industry which can generate much needed foreign exchange and support retaining of skilled youngsters leaving the country

Clappenburg area in Trincomalee where local company with possible collaboration of foreign investor is already earmarked
Both minister of industries and shipping with SLPA should take the lead now 

Over to you President and ministers of Industry and shipping and SLPA 

Regards

Dr Sarath Obeysekera