By: Staff Writer

January 23, Colombo (LNW): Harjinder Kang, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for South Asia, visited Colombo from January 21 to 23, 2025, marking his first official trip to Sri Lanka in this capacity. The visit aimed to enhance trade relations between the UK and Sri Lanka, address barriers to doing business, and explore initiatives to foster mutual economic growth.

During his stay, Kang met with key Sri Lankan government officials, including Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti, Deputy Finance and Planning Minister Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Western Province Governor Haniff Yousouf, and Presidential Economic Advisor Duminda Hulangamuwa.

He also engaged with a wide array of stakeholders, such as representatives from UK-linked businesses, transnational education providers, and senior business leaders.

The discussions centered on sectors like financial and professional services, IT and software development, education, manufacturing, logistics, and renewable energy. Kang emphasized the UK Government’s commitment to supporting British businesses, whether they are entering the Sri Lankan market for the first time or seeking to expand their operations.

Kang expressed admiration for the strong educational ties between the two nations, noting that Sri Lanka is the UK’s second-largest market for transnational education. “I am particularly impressed by the strength of our educational partnerships and am eager to explore how we can continue to contribute to the growth of Sri Lanka’s skilled workforce,” Kang stated. He also highlighted the UK’s role as a champion of open markets and its efforts to promote ease of doing business globally.

Sri Lanka holds significant value as a trading partner for the UK, with total trade amounting to approximately £1.5 billion annually. UK exports to Sri Lanka stand at £359 million, while UK imports from Sri Lanka reach £1.1 billion, making the UK Sri Lanka’s second-largest export market. Kang stressed the importance of improving market access and reducing trade barriers to further boost bilateral trade and investment.

The UK’s Department for Business and Trade plays a key role in supporting British businesses overseas by addressing challenges and promoting trade opportunities. As HMTC for South Asia and Deputy High Commissioner for Western India since May 2023, Kang is focused on enhancing the UK’s trade partnerships across the region.

Before his current role, Kang served as the UK’s Chief Negotiator for the UK-India Free Trade Agreement. He also had a 30-year tenure at AstraZeneca, where he served as Global Commercial Director, working on affordable pharmaceutical solutions for less developed regions. Additionally, he is a member of the University of Birmingham’s Council.

Looking ahead, Kang is optimistic about the future of UK-Sri Lanka relations. “By engaging with government and business stakeholders, I aim to identify solutions that will strengthen our partnership, ultimately contributing to the economic growth of both countries,” he noted.The UK remains committed to fostering sustainable, resilient, and productive partnerships in South Asia, with Sri Lanka playing a crucial role in these efforts.

By: Staff Writer

January 23, Colombo (LNW): A groundbreaking initiative designed to open new avenues for women in Sri Lanka’s maritime industry is now in motion.

The program is a monumental step in promoting gender diversity and inclusion within this traditionally male-dominated sector, offering young women the opportunity to embark on transformative careers at sea.

The inaugural program, supported by an investment of USD 110,000, sponsors 15 female cadets, including seven deck cadets and eight engineering cadets.

This historic batch of female navigation cadets will set sail together for the first time in January 2025, followed by the engineering cadets beginning their training in April 2025.

The initiative has garnered strong support from esteemed organizations, such as the U.S. Embassy in Colombo, the High Commission of Australia, the German Embassy, the Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents, and WISTA Sri Lanka. Their collective endorsement underscores the importance of advancing gender equality and empowering women in maritime careers.

At the forefront of this change is Centrum Marine Consultancy (Pvt) Ltd., a trailblazer in maritime human resources and a staunch advocate for gender diversity. The company has launched the innovative ‘She Can Sail the Seas’ program, specifically aimed at breaking down long-standing gender barriers in the maritime sector.

The official launch of the initiative was attended by notable dignitaries, including Dr. Felix Neumann, Ambassador of the German Embassy in Colombo; Colonel Amanda Jonston, Defense Advisor at the High Commission of Australia; and Lieutenant Commander Jessica De Mont, Naval Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Colombo.

The ‘She Can Sail the Seas’ program is co-sponsored by Peter Döhle Schiffahrts-KG, Hamburg, a global leader in shipping, while CINEC Maritime Campus serves as the technical partner, offering critical expertise in maritime training.

Speaking on the occasion, Kalinga De Silva, Managing Director of Centrum Marine Consultancy, remarked, “This is a pivotal moment for the maritime industry in Sri Lanka. We are proud to lead the way in empowering women to pursue careers at sea. Our mission is to create a lasting impact, paving the way for future generations of female seafarers and demonstrating that the seas are open to all who dare to sail them.”

The vision of Centrum Marine Consultancy goes well beyond this inaugural cohort. The company plans to sponsor up to 150 female cadets in the coming years, challenging societal norms and encouraging families to support their daughters in pursuing maritime careers.

The significance of this initiative transcends numbers, symbolizing a crucial leap toward inclusivity and diversity in the maritime sector. It stands as a beacon of hope, inspiring young women to explore careers at sea while reshaping societal perceptions about women’s roles in the industry.

By: Staff Writer

January 23, Colombo (LNW): The Ceylon Chamber of Coconut Industries (CCCI) has called for urgent government intervention to address a severe coconut shortage threatening both domestic consumption and the country’s export potential.

Highlighting escalating fertilizer costs, pest infestations, land fragmentation, and climate change as key factors limiting coconut cultivation, CCCI President Jayantha B. Samarakoon has proposed immediate measures to mitigate the crisis.

At a recent media briefing, Samarakoon emphasized the need to import 200 million coconuts over the next few months to bridge the gap in domestic and industrial demand.

He cited skyrocketing fertilizer prices as the primary reason behind the production slump, noting that costs have risen from Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 12,000 per 50 kg bag. This price surge has discouraged growers, with fertilizer usage among farmers dropping to less than 10%.

Sri Lanka’s monthly coconut demand is 250 million nuts, with 150 million consumed domestically and 100 million used in industrial production.

However, annual coconut yields have declined sharply, dropping from 3 billion nuts to 2.68 billion in 2024. The Coconut Research Institute predicts further declines in 2025, with a shortfall of 200 million coconuts anticipated between January and April.

This deficit, exacerbated by extreme weather conditions and a growing pest population, has resulted in soaring coconut prices and disrupted raw material supplies for export manufacturers.

The CCCI has outlined several measures to address the crisis:

Short-Term Imports: Permit the importation of raw materials such as dried coconut kernels, copra chips, and coconut milk to stabilize the supply chain.

Subsidized Fertilizer: Reduce fertilizer prices to Rs. 4,000 per bag to encourage usage and improve yields.

Water and Soil Subsidies: Provide support for water supply and soil conservation to sustain cultivation.

Consumer Awareness: Promote processed coconut products, such as coconut milk powder and desiccated coconut, to reduce demand for fresh coconuts.

Samarakoon also stressed the importance of minimizing household coconut waste, which currently accounts for 20-25% of domestic consumption. A 10% reduction could release 200 million coconuts annually for industrial use, generating an estimated $160 million in foreign exchange.

Despite the challenges, Sri Lanka’s coconut export industry has shown resilience. Coconut product exports generated $782 million by November 2024, marking a 20% year-on-year increase.

Annual revenue is expected to reach $850 million in 2025, the highest ever recorded. With global demand for coconut-based products projected at $27-30 billion annually, driven by the rise in vegan and plant-based diets, Sri Lanka has significant growth potential.

The CCCI has set an ambitious target of achieving $1.5 billion in export revenue by 2027, requiring an annual production of 4.5 billion coconuts. To reach this goal, the Chamber has proposed allocating Rs. 1.5 billion from the CESS Fund to support moisture conservation, pest control, replanting, and infrastructure development.

Samarakoon concluded by urging the government to prioritize the coconut industry in its economic agenda, emphasizing the sector’s contribution to livelihoods and export revenue. With collaborative efforts and immediate action, Sri Lanka can overcome its current challenges and secure a sustainable future for the coconut industry.