Srinath Fernando JP

Srinath Fernando JP
LLM (UK) LLM (COLOMBO)
No. 7/1, 4th Lane Rawathawatta Moratuwa
Tel 072 0622 482


21st October 2025

His Excellency
Anura Kumara Dissanayake
President of Sri Lanka

Your excellency

I am writing to inform you that I have had the privilege of being employed in the oil and gas industry for around two decades. I have witnessed the massive economic transformation of the Middle Eastern countries.

I have been informed by Colombo Dockyard PLC , Haylese Energy and McLarens Shipping that they had received many business inquiries from overseas parties for the repair and overhaul of oil rigs. These inquiries had to be declined owing to the (1) congestion in the Port of Colombo and (2) objections from the Sri Lanka Airforce base in Trincomalee as the height of oil rigs could pose a navigational hazard to flight training conducted by the Air Force base in China Bay

Your excellency may not be aware that Sri Lanka had lost billions of dollars worth of contracts over the years. I feel that its is perhaps time your excellency reviewed the potential to develop Port of Trincomalee as an economic zone for marine engineering, shipping and oil & gas industry. I would urge your excellency to appoint a Committee to inquire into economic potential of the Port of Trincomalee. It is also prudent to establish a dedicated Trincomalee Economic Development Commission by an act of Parliament. Your excellency may bring the Port of Trincomalee under this Commission. The Sri Lanka Ports Authority Act could also be suitably amended to divest the Port of Trincomalee from its control. If it is feasible to relocate the Sri Lanka Airforce thereafter land acreage could be made available for investors. It is however imperative to maintain the Sri Lanka Navy base for security reasons.

There have been many progressive initiatives taken by Dr. Sarath Obeysekera Chairman of the Advisory Committee of the Export Development Board who is a veteran in this area. What I would propose is that Port of Trincomalee be removed from the SLPA control and be brought under a new Trincomalee Economic Development Commission.

Your excellency, I have never had any membership of any political party. I am only interested in seeing this country is developed.

I would be delighted to hear from your excellency.

Sincerely



Srinath Fernando
LLM (UK) LLM (COLOMBO)

Regards

Dr Sarath Obeysekera