Business

Ocean wealth without data: Sri Lanka’s Blue Economy faces a silent risk

Published

6 months ago

2026/03/24

Sahan Weerasooriya

Dr. Ranil Nanayakkara

By Ifham Nizam

Sri Lanka’s oceans generate millions of dollars annually through fisheries exports and whale watching tourism, positioning the island as a strategic player in the North Indian Ocean’s blue economy. Yet beneath this revenue stream lies a serious structural weakness: the absence of long-term, tangible scientific data to guide sustainable management.

“The single biggest bottleneck in Sri Lanka’s marine sector is the lack of consistent, long-term scientific research,” says Dr. Ranil Nanayakkara, Co-Founder and Principal Scientist of Biodiversity Education and Research (BEAR).

Speaking to The Island Financial Review, he said: “We are commercially exploiting marine resources, but we are not investing proportionately in understanding them.”

A decade ago, whale watching operators off Mirissa confidently guaranteed sightings of the majestic Blue whale, even offering refunds if tourists failed to see one. Today, such guarantees are no longer possible. Sightings in those waters have become increasingly rare, raising concerns not only among conservationists but also among tourism stakeholders who depend on the reliability of these experiences.

In place of Blue whales, researchers are now recording more frequent appearances of Bryde’s whale, a species that feeds on schooling fish rather than krill. The shift may signal deeper ecological changes linked to warming seas, overfishing, altered currents or prey depletion. The economic implications are clear: when flagship species decline or alter migratory patterns, tourism revenue becomes volatile.

“The ocean is not infinite,” Dr. Nanayakkara warns. “We behave as though fish stocks and marine mammals will always replenish themselves. But overfishing disrupts the food chain. When prey availability changes, larger migratory species respond.”

Sri Lanka’s fisheries sector plays a critical role in food security and export earnings. Yet overfishing, particularly of schooling fish, does not only threaten catch volumes but also impacts marine mammals that rely on the same prey base. Without accurate stock assessments and ecosystem-level monitoring, policymakers are navigating blind.

The case of Kalpitiya illustrates the shifting baseline. Until around 2021–2022, researchers documented one of the largest seasonal aggregations of Sperm whale in the eastern half of the Gulf of Mannar. Between mid-March and early April, pods numbering 300 to 400 individuals were observed, including mature males arriving from colder waters to breed.

Today, such large gatherings are rarely seen.

Public discourse often attributes marine disruptions to the 2021 maritime disaster involving the MV X-Press Pearl. While acknowledging localized environmental damage, Dr. Nanayakkara cautions against drawing sweeping conclusions without data.

“The ocean is vast. A spill may cause short-term, localised impacts. But long-term population shifts require long-term monitoring to understand causation.”

Ironically, Sri Lanka does possess institutional capacity. The National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) operates an ocean-going research vessel and maintains scientific infrastructure. However, sustained offshore surveys and multidisciplinary research missions have been limited.

“We have assets. What we lack is sustained deployment and coordinated national strategy,” Dr. Nanayakkara notes. “Research is often dependent on personal funds, goodwill donors or small grants. That is not how you manage a national economic resource.”

The economic risks of neglect are mounting. International seafood markets increasingly demand sustainability assurances backed by verifiable data.

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Business

Indo-Sri Lanka Chambers forge alliance to drive infrastructure and real estate investment

Published

6 hours ago

2026/09/14

Thilina Walpola

The exchange of the MoU between the two organisations

By Sanath Nanayakkare

In a major boost to bilateral economic ties, the Chamber of Construction Industry of Sri Lanka (CCISL) and the Indo–Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ISCCI) have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen cooperation in real estate, infrastructure, and urban development.

The agreement establishes a formal framework for both institutions to drive collaborative initiatives, including business delegations, high-level conferences, workshops, B2B matchmaking sessions, and technical site visits. Designed to bridge businesses, government institutions, and project stakeholders across the Palk Strait, the partnership aims to unlock new avenues for cross-border joint ventures and technology transfers.

A focal point of this newly minted partnership is the facilitation of an upcoming trade delegation from the National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO) of India. Comprising major Indian players in the real estate and infrastructure sectors, the visiting delegation will engage in targeted business meetings, workshops, and inspection tours of prominent construction projects in Sri Lanka.

Under the terms of the MoU, CCISL will serve as the principal host coordinator in Sri Lanka. In close consultation with ISCCI, the apex construction body will curate itineraries, identify viable projects for engagement, and facilitate high-level dialogues with key government agencies, regulatory bodies, and industry leaders.

With both nations prioritizing sustainable urban growth, modern construction technologies, and infrastructure expansion, industry leaders view the partnership as a timely catalyst for economic rejuvenation. The collaboration is anticipated to accelerate market access, knowledge exchange, and foreign direct investment into Sri Lanka’s burgeoning property and development sectors.

To ensure the success of the upcoming NAREDCO delegation, CCISL has issued an urgent appeal to statutory authorities and relevant project owners to come forward with viable investment proposals. Stakeholders holding projects seeking foreign investment or technical partnerships are invited to submit comprehensive details to the Secretary General and CEO of CCISL via email at secyces@gmail.com.

Both chambers emphasize that translating this foundational agreement into tangible partnerships and robust capital flows will significantly strengthen bilateral connectivity between the construction and real estate sectors of India and Sri Lanka.

Business

Hettich celebrates a decade in Sri Lanka with partner meet in Colombo

Published

6 hours ago

2026/09/14

Thilina Walpola

Over the past decade, Hettich has strengthened its presence in Sri Lanka through its focus on German engineering, innovation, quality and functionality

Hettich, the globally renowned German manufacturer of furniture fittings and architectural hardware known for its state-of-the-art manufacturing plants and magical interior solutions across the world celebrated a significant milestone in Sri Lanka, marking 10 years of presence in the country with its inaugural Partner Meet in Colombo.

The landmark event brought together Hettich’s key partners, stakeholders and industry leaders to celebrate a decade of growth, collaboration and shared success, while reaffirming the company’s long-term commitment to the Sri Lankan market.

Over the past decade, Hettich has strengthened its presence in Sri Lanka through its focus on German engineering, innovation, quality and functionality, contributing to the creation of contemporary and intelligently designed living and working spaces across the country.

The gala evening was graced by a distinguished delegation of senior leaders, including Dr. Andreas Hettich, Chairman, Hettich Group Advisory Board; S. K. Poddar, Chairman, Hettich India & Adventz Group; Mr. Akshay Poddar, Director, Hettich India; Andre Eckholt, Managing Director, Hettich India, SAARC, Middle East & Africa; Rahul Thakkar, Director – Sales, Hettich India & SAARC; and Dinusha Bhaskaran, Managing Director, Vallibel One PLC.

Business

GS Evo Motors launches all-new JMEV EWIND

Published

6 hours ago

2026/09/14

Thilina Walpola

Priyantha Perera, Chief Executive Officer of GS Evo Motors (left), and Sunil Wettasinghe, Chairman of GS Evo Motors, introducing the latest JMEV Ewind Electric SUV to the local market

GS Evo Motors Limited, the authorized distributor of JMEV electric vehicles in Sri Lanka, has officially launched the JMEV EWIND, a next-generation compact electric SUV. The vehicle is designed to offer strong performance, intelligent technology, premium comfort, and high safety standards, marking another milestone in Sri Lanka’s growing electric mobility sector.

The EWIND features a sleek, aerodynamic exterior with penetrating LED daytime running lights, trapezoidal chain-inspired LED tail lamps, 19-inch alloy wheels, and a bold silhouette. Inside, it offers a spacious cabin with a panoramic moonroof and retractable curtain, an ultra-thin suspended instrument panel, a D-shaped multifunction steering wheel, multi-colour ambient lighting, premium finishes, and electrically adjustable front seats.

The SUV is available in single-motor front-wheel drive configurations, producing up to 108 kW and 210 Nm, with 0–100 km/h acceleration in 8.9 seconds.