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Lalith Witanachchi flanked by Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake, presidential maritime advisor (on his right) and Krishnan Subramaniam, Chairman, Institute of Shipbrokers, UK

Chairman of Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (Sri Lanka branch) Lalith Witanachchi said that disruption of Hormuz strait due to the ongoing war between Israel-US and Iran underscores the importance of other vital routes.

Addressing the 32 annual awards ceremony of ICS Sri Lanka recently at Cinnamon Lakeside, Witanachchi said that in today’s maritime environment, global events continue to remind us how closely geopolitics and shipping are connected. The ongoing tensions and conflict involving Iran in the Middle East have once again highlighted the strategic importance of maritime trade routes, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. Such disruptions create uncertainty for global supply chains, but they also reinforce the importance of resilient ports, efficient logistics networks, and well-trained maritime professionals. For countries like Sri Lanka, positioned along major East–West shipping lanes, these shifts also present opportunities to strengthen our role as a reliable maritime hub for the region.

Witanachchi dealt with the transformation of Singapore. Singapore did not simply build a port; they transformed an entire economy. They positioned themselves as a global logistics hub, attracting international shipping lines, investors, and trade flows. What seemed risky at the time became the foundation for decades of sustainable growth, making the Port of Singapore one of the busiest and most efficient ports in the world today.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake, Advisor to the President on Maritime, Ports and Logistics, emphasised the strategic importance of human capital development, professional education, and policy alignment in positioning Sri Lanka as a competitive regional maritime and logistics hub. His address reinforced the need for innovation, knowledge-sharing, and international collaboration in navigating the evolving global shipping environment.

A key highlight of the evening was the recognition of outstanding academic achievers and industry professionals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment, competence, and contribution to the maritime and logistics sectors. These accolades not only celebrated individual excellence but also symbolised the broader progress of professional standards within the industry.

The event also served as a platform to strengthen industry-academia linkages, promote professional qualifications, and encourage the next generation of maritime professionals. The presence of a diverse audience, including corporate leaders, students, and practitioners, reflected the Institute’s ongoing role in fostering a knowledge-driven and globally connected maritime community.

The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is undertaking a high-level mission to Sri Lanka from 6 to 9 April 2026, led by Director General Ashish Khanna, to advance the operationalisation of the ISA–Sri Lanka Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) and accelerate the country’s solar deployment agenda.

The text of ISA statement: “The mission focuses on four key outcomes: formal endorsement of the CPS, signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a Solar Technology Application Resource Centre (STAR-C) at the University of Moratuwa, high-level bilateral engagements with government and development partners focusing on initial support on digital tool for streamlining approval process, support on integration of battery storage and policy and regulatory reforms, along with a dedicated Floating Solar Workshop to advance project readiness.

Sri Lanka’s energy sector is undergoing a structural transition. Installed solar capacity has crossed 1 GW, with a pipeline of over 4 GW identified under the Renewable Energy Project Development Plan (REPDP 2025–2030). Accelerated solar deployment is expected to deliver nearly 75% of national emissions reductions under NDC 3.0 (2026–2035), while reducing fiscal exposure to imported fossil fuels especially under the current global scenario, making timely implementation a national priority.

The ISA–Sri Lanka Country Partnership Framework (CPF), signed at the Asia Pacific Regional Committee Meeting 2025 in Colombo in the presence of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, laid the foundation for long-term collaboration. Building on this, the CPS, developed through extensive technical consultations, including ISA’s technical mission in November 2025, translates Sri Lanka’s REPDP targets and climate commitments into a results-oriented, multi-year implementation roadmap spanning policy reform, project development, capacity building, and investment facilitation.

Underscoring the significance of the mission, Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody said: “Sri Lanka’s energy transition is well underway, and ISA has been a key partner in this journey. The CPS provides clarity across the solar value chain from policy and regulation to project development, capacity building, and investment mobilisation. This mission is delivering tangible outcomes, including CPS endorsement, alignment on our National Solar Energy Roadmap, BESS priorities, and digital approval processes, while advancing catalytic finance pathways.”

Highlighting ISA’s approach, Director General, ISA Ashish Khanna stated: “The ISA–Sri Lanka partnership is anchored in Sri Lanka’s vision of 4 GW of Renewable Energy by 2030, where the current high global prices of fossil fuels demand acceleration of electrification of economy through renewable energy as part of energy security for Sri Lanka. ISA brings global technical expertise, partnership on institutional strengthening, and use of catalytic tools for accelerating private financing. The STAR-C at the University of Moratuwa is a landmark initiative that will strengthen domestic research, testing, and skills for creation of jobs along with solar deployment at scale. Together with the CPS and the growing project pipeline under REPDP 2025–2030, this mission marks a decisive shift from ambition to implementation.”

The three-day mission includes engagements with the Ministry of Energy, utilities, regulators, and development partners, including the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, to advance project pipelines, financing pathways, and institutional coordination.

Customs officers yesterday (07) thwarted an attempt made by four persons, including a woman, to smuggle in a consignment of medicines worth about Rs. 10 mn via the Bandaranaike International Airport.

They were arrested while leaving the airport through the green channel.

The suspects, all residents of Colombo, arrived from Bangalore, India.

Customs officers found a stock of medicines, including injections, tablets, capsules, and ointments, concealed in eight suitcases carried by the suspects, officials said.

Investigations revealed that the medicines had not been declared to Customs and were brought into the country without the required approvals from the Ministry of Health and the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA).