Dr Sarath Obeysekera

New Ports Authority chairman may have a daunting task to suppress bureaucracy in the Port 

Port authority  deployed ADB  Asiandevelopment Bank to carry  out  a master plan to develop .Trincomalee Harbour

So far no action had been taken implement the ADB suggested proposals 

Recent submission  by EDB to obtain green light to develop offshore industry in Clapoenburg area of Trincomalee harbour was not supported by SLPA  citing  rejection by CEA

This issue has surfaced when EDB presented the proposal to EDCM   ( Export Development Committee of Ministers)

CEA does not reject s proposal until an EIA is submitted

Why port is not supportive 

IAsian Development Bank prepared or funded a Master Plan for Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) for Trincomalee:

• A Master Plan is a strategic document

• It identifies long-term development zones

• It does not automatically trigger implementation

Very often:

• Plans are prepared

• Approved at concept level

• Then shelved due to political or institutional changes

This is unfortunately common in Sri Lanka.

On the CEA Argument

The Central Environmental Authority (CEA):

• Does not reject a project before an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is formally submitted.

• Normally issues:

• Terms of Reference (ToR)

• Requires Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) or EIA

• Then evaluates based on data

So if SLPA says: CEA rejected it”

Without a formal EIA process,

that statement is procedurally weak

Possible Reasons SLPA Is Not Supportive

A  .Institutional Risk Aversion

Offshore industry is:

• Capital intensive

• Politically sensitive

• Environmentally scrutinized

SLPA may prefer conventional port activities over offshore engineering hubs.

B. Control Over Strategic Assets

Trincomalee is:

• Geopolitically sensitive

• Monitored by defence and foreign stakeholders

Large offshore industrial proposals may require:

• Cabinet approval

• Defence clearance

• Strategic review

SLPA may not want to trigger that complexity.

C. Inter-Agency Rivalry

You mentioned EDB submission.

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board promoting a project inside SLPA-controlled land can create:

• Jurisdictional tension

• Who leads?” conflicts

• Turf protection behaviour

This is common in multi-agency systems.

D. Fear of Environmental Controversy

Past controversies involving CEA decisions (especially high-profile officers) may make SLPA cautious.

They may be using:

CEA issue” as a safe administrative shield.

E. Lack of Political Directive

LIn Sri Lanka, major port developments move only when:

• There is strong Cabinet-level direction

• Or Treasury/Presidential push

Without that, institutions tend to stall.

Strategic Observation (Important)

ADB advisory board have long experience in:

• Offshore

• Shipbuilding

• Welding industry

• Marine infrastructure

Trincomalee offshore engineering hub is high-value FDI, not a low-value cargo expansion.

If SLPA does not see:

• Immediate revenue

• Or direct control

They may not prioritize it.

what  Can Be Done Strategically

Instead of confronting SLPA, one could:

1. Request written clarification:

• Has CEA officially rejected?

• Was ToR issued?

• Was EIA submitted?

2. Escalate to:

• Ministry of Ports

• Ministry of Industries

• National Planning Department

3. Frame project as:

• National energy security

• Offshore wind / oil & gas servicing

• Defence logistics support

That changes narrative.

This issue is administrative, not environmental.

Regards

Dr Sarath Obeysekera