{"id":155478,"date":"2026-04-03T16:29:33","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T23:29:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/?p=155478"},"modified":"2026-04-03T16:29:33","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T23:29:33","slug":"key-unsolicited-projects-executed-in-70-90","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2026\/04\/03\/key-unsolicited-projects-executed-in-70-90\/","title":{"rendered":"Key unsolicited Projects Executed in 70\/ 90\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><em>Dr Sarath Obeysekera<\/em><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key unsolicited Projects Executed in 70\/ 90&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Kotmale Dam \u2013 fast-tracked with Swedish funding under Gamini Dissanayake<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Parliament of Sri Lanka dredging \u2013 awarded to Boskalis<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sea sand dredging project \u2013 linked to Dutch funding + loans<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Canal rehabilitation \u2013 feasibility by WS Atkins<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Project management \u2013 Nippon Koei<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Execution \u2013 Keangnam Enterprises<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These represent a classic 1970s\u20131990s model of development:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udc49 politically driven<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udc49 externally financed<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udc49 consultant-led<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udc49 quickly executed<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">&nbsp;Lessons to Learn<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1.&nbsp; Speed vs. Process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Then:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Projects moved very fast\u2014decisions taken at ministerial level, minimal bureaucracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lesson:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Speed is essential for development<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>But lack of structured procurement can lead to:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>inflated costs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>poor negotiation outcomes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>dependency on external parties<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Today\u2019s takeaway:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Create a fast-track approval system\u201d WITH safeguards\u2014not without them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Unsolicited Proposals \u2013 Double-Edged Sword<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Then:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Foreign companies like Boskalis brought ideas + financing.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Advantages:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>No need for government to conceive projects<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Access to technology and funding<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Quick start<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Risks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Supplier-driven (not country-driven)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Weak price discovery (no competition)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hidden long-term costs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;Lesson:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Accept unsolicited proposals\u2014but subject them to competitive benchmarking (Swiss Challenge\u201d model).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Foreign Funding Comes with Influence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Swedish funding for Kotmale Dam<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dutch grants + loans for dredging<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Japanese and Korean firms executing canals<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Reality:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Funding often tied to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>contractors from donor country<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>technology lock-in<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>political alignment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;Lesson:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Diversify funding sources and negotiate from strength\u2014not urgency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Strong Political Champions Matter<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Figures like Gamini Dissanayake drove projects personally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Positive:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Projects didn\u2019t stall<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bureaucracy was bypassed<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Negative:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Decisions concentrated in individuals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Weak institutional continuity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Lesson:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Blend political leadership with institutional frameworks<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>not personality-driven development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">&nbsp;Role of Consultants \u2013 Value vs Dependency<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>WS Atkins (feasibility) with RDV local company\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nippon Koei (project management)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Observation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>High-quality planning and execution<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>But local capacity remained limited<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;Lesson:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every foreign consultancy must include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>technology transfer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>local engineer training<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>knowledge retention<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">&nbsp;Financing Structure Matters More Than Speed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Projects were funded by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>grants<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>soft loans<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>export credit<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>But often:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>repayment terms were not fully scrutinized<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>revenue models were weak<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;Lesson:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No project should proceed without a clear repayment + revenue model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">&nbsp;Missed Opportunity: Build Local Industry<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While foreign companies executed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>dredging<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>canals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>infrastructure<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Sri Lanka did not build its own large-scale contracting capability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;Lesson:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every project should:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>mandate local contractor participation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>develop domestic industry (like what South Korea did)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;Strategic Takeaway for Today<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If Sri Lanka wants to replicate that clock &nbsp;work\u201d speed again:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;What to Keep<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Decisive leadership<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Willingness to engage foreign partners<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bold infrastructure vision<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>What to Fix<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Transparent procurement<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Competitive pricing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strong legal frameworks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Local capacity building<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Debt sustainability<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final Insight<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>The past model worked because:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>the country was starting from a low base<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>urgency justified shortcuts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">But today:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>\u00a0The stakes are higher<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>debt is heavier<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>geopolitics is sharper<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dr Sarath Obeysekera Key unsolicited Projects Executed in 70\/ 90&nbsp; These represent a classic 1970s\u20131990s model of development: \ud83d\udc49 politically driven \ud83d\udc49 externally financed \ud83d\udc49 consultant-led \ud83d\udc49 quickly executed &nbsp;Lessons to Learn 1.&nbsp; Speed vs. Process Then: Projects moved very fast\u2014decisions taken at ministerial level, minimal bureaucracy. Lesson: Today\u2019s takeaway: Create a fast-track approval system\u201d [&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-155478","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\/155478","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=155478"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/155478\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":155479,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/155478\/revisions\/155479"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=155478"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=155478"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=155478"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}