By Dr. Sarath Obeysekera

https://ceylontoday.lk/2025/09/13/sri-lanka-must-harness-indias-naval-ambitions

India is embarking on one of the world’s most ambitious naval expansion programmes, investing heavily in warships, support vessels, shipyards, logistics and maritime infrastructure. This is not merely a defence initiative—it is an industrial revolution that will create enormous opportunities throughout the Indian Ocean region. 

Sri Lanka should not remain a spectator.

Our private sector must be encouraged to form joint ventures with Indian companies in shipbuilding, steel fabrication, precision engineering, marine equipment manufacturing, welding, offshore fabrication, logistics and technical training. Rather than competing with India, Sri Lanka should become its trusted industrial partner.

Our strategic location, experienced maritime workforce and existing facilities at Colombo, Trincomalee and Galle can complement India’s growing naval and commercial maritime ambitions. Components, outfitting, maintenance, repairs, specialised fabrication and workforce development can all be undertaken in Sri Lanka if the right partnerships are established.

The Government should therefore launch an active campaign through the Board of Investment, Export Development Board, Chambers of Commerce and diplomatic missions to connect Sri Lankan entrepreneurs with Indian investors and shipbuilding companies. Incentives should be provided for technology transfer, joint manufacturing and vocational training.

The benefits extend far beyond defence. A stronger maritime industrial base will generate high-value employment, strengthen vocational education, increase exports, attract foreign direct investment and position Sri Lanka as an indispensable maritime engineering hub in the Indian Ocean.

India’s naval growth should not be viewed simply as a strategic development. It should be recognised as a once-in-a-generation economic opportunity for Sri Lanka. Those who build partnerships today will become part of the maritime supply chain of tomorrow.

The time to act is now.

Regards

Dr Sarath Obeysekera