{"id":154731,"date":"2026-02-15T18:05:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T01:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/?p=154731"},"modified":"2026-02-15T18:05:00","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T01:05:00","slug":"policy-position-paper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2026\/02\/15\/policy-position-paper\/","title":{"rendered":"POLICY POSITION PAPER"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><em>Submitted by: Sarath Obeysekera\u00a0Chairman \/ Marine &amp; Offshore Engineering Specialist\u00a0EDB Advisory Board Member<\/em><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Strategic Inclusion of Trincomalee Offshore Engineering &amp; Marine Hub in the National Export Development Plan (2025\u20132029)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Submitted by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sarath Obeysekera<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Chairman \/ Marine &amp; Offshore Engineering Specialist<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>EDB Advisory Board Member<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hon. Minister of Industries<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Purpose<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This paper seeks to highlight a critical strategic omission in the draft National Export Development Plan (NEDP 2025\u20132029):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The absence of a clearly defined high-value offshore engineering and marine industrial development strategy centered in <a href=\"chatgpt:\/\/generic-entity?number=0\">Trincomalee<\/a>, specifically the proposed development of the Clappenburg area as an Offshore Engineering Hub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This project has the potential to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Attract substantial Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reverse brain drain<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Position Sri Lanka as an Indian Ocean offshore engineering center<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Generate high-value export earnings<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Support energy security and maritime industrialization<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Strategic Gap in the NEDP<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The NEDP identifies:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Marine-based industries (including boatbuilding)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Logistics and transshipment development<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Port-led industrial growth<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Knowledge-intensive exports<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>FDI-linked export expansion<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>However, it does <\/strong><strong>not explicitly address<\/strong><strong>:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Offshore oil &amp; gas engineering services<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Offshore renewable energy fabrication<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>FPSO conversion and repair<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Subsea engineering services<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Offshore rig repair and marine heavy engineering<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>While <a href=\"chatgpt:\/\/generic-entity?number=1\">Sri Lanka Ports Authority<\/a> and port expansion initiatives are mentioned, there is no targeted strategy to leverage Trincomalee\u2019s natural deep-water advantage for high-value offshore engineering activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Why Trincomalee is Strategically Unique<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3.1 Natural Deep-Water Advantage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"chatgpt:\/\/generic-entity?number=2\">Trincomalee<\/a> Harbour is one of the finest natural deep-water harbours in the world. It offers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Deep draft suitable for offshore rigs and heavy marine structures<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Calm waters ideal for fabrication and floating dock operations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Large available land bank for industrial estate development<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strategic proximity to Bay of Bengal energy routes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Unlike <a href=\"chatgpt:\/\/generic-entity?number=3\">Colombo<\/a>, which is primarily a transshipment hub, Trincomalee can become a production-based maritime industrial cluster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Proposed Development: Clappenburg Offshore Engineering Hub<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The proposal submitted through the EDB Advisory Board recommends:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Development of Clappenburg Area as:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Offshore fabrication yard<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rig repair and refurbishment center<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Subsea structure manufacturing facility<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Offshore renewable (wind) foundation fabrication base<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>LNG and marine energy service zone<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This aligns directly with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>NEDP Strategic Objective 1 (Logistics &amp; Hub Operations)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strategic Objective 3 (Export-oriented FDI)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strategic Objective 6 (Skills &amp; Innovation)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Yet it remains unrecognized as a national flagship project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Economic Impact Potential<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5.1 Foreign Direct Investment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>High-value offshore engineering projects typically attract:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>USD 200\u2013500 million initial FDI<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Technology transfer partnerships<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Global EPC contractor participation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Countries such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"chatgpt:\/\/generic-entity?number=4\">Singapore<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"chatgpt:\/\/generic-entity?number=5\">Vietnam<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"chatgpt:\/\/generic-entity?number=6\">Malaysia<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>have leveraged offshore engineering to move from low-value manufacturing to high-value marine industrialization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sri Lanka can follow a similar pathway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5.2 Brain Drain Reversal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Sri Lanka produces:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Naval architects<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Marine engineers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Welding technologists<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Offshore structural engineers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>NDT specialists<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Many migrate due to lack of high-value domestic projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Establishing an offshore engineering hub would:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Retain skilled engineers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Create high-paying technical jobs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Encourage diaspora return<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strengthen NVQ and TVET marine specialization<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5.3 Export Revenue<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Offshore engineering services generate:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Project-based USD inflows<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Long-term service contracts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Regional Bay of Bengal energy support services<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This aligns with NEDP\u2019s goal of reaching USD 36 billion exports by 2030.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Geopolitical and Strategic Relevance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Bay of Bengal is emerging as a major energy and maritime zone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>India, Bangladesh, Myanmar and ASEAN countries are expanding:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Offshore gas exploration<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Floating LNG<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Offshore wind<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Sri Lanka must strategically position Trincomalee before regional competitors dominate this niche.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Failure to act will leave Sri Lanka limited to low-margin transshipment activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. Policy Recommendations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Immediate Inclusion in NEDP<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Explicitly identify:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Trincomalee Offshore Engineering &amp; Marine Industrial Hub\u201d as a flagship project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Call for International RFP<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Through EDB and BOI, issue a global RFP for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Strategic marine engineering partners<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Offshore yard developers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Energy EPC firms<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Establish Special Marine SEZ<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Designate Clappenburg as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Marine &amp; Offshore SEZ<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>With tax and duty facilitation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Simplified customs regime<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fast-track approvals<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Institutional Coordination<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Create a Joint Task Force involving:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ministry of Industries<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>EDB<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>BOI<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>SLPA<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ministry of Energy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8. Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The NEDP rightly emphasizes logistics, digital exports, and diversification. However, it underestimates Sri Lanka\u2019s potential to move into high-value offshore engineering and marine heavy industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Developing Clappenburg in <a href=\"chatgpt:\/\/generic-entity?number=7\">Trincomalee<\/a> is not merely a regional development project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Submitted by: Sarath Obeysekera\u00a0Chairman \/ Marine &amp; Offshore Engineering Specialist\u00a0EDB Advisory Board Member Strategic Inclusion of Trincomalee Offshore Engineering &amp; Marine Hub in the National Export Development Plan (2025\u20132029) Submitted by: Sarath Obeysekera Chairman \/ Marine &amp; Offshore Engineering Specialist EDB Advisory Board Member To: Hon. Minister of Industries Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[116],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-154731","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-dr-sarath-obeysekera"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/154731","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=154731"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/154731\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":154732,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/154731\/revisions\/154732"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=154731"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=154731"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=154731"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}