Maritime and Aviation are key aspects to SL economy: Defence Sec.
Defence Secretary Karunasena Hettiarachchi yesterday said Sri Lanka’s maritime and aviation aspects have become the key pillars of economic development due to the peaceful environment after the conflict.
Delivering the keynote address at the ‘Air Symposium 2015’ organised by the Sri Lanka Air Force, Mr. Hettiarachchi said both maritime and aviation industry in the country had been critically threatened by terrorism during the 30 years conflict.
“Sri Lanka was relieved from terrorism and under this background that Sri Lanka is required to focus on ensuring safe and secure maritime and aviation environment to exploit and gain their advantages to the fullest extent for building the nation in the 21st Century,” he said.
Mr. Hettiarachchi said the post-war Sri Lanka is enjoying peaceful seas and skies and it’s more friendly and healthy for all operators than it was six years before.
“Peace and security are top priorities for a possible maritime and aviation industry. The world has witnessed several airline tragedies and maritime piracy in the recent past in places from Ukraine to Egypt and from Sudan to Malakka and they have reminded the whole world needs to keep the maritime and aviation aspects out of all possible threats”, he further added.
He said Sri Lanka has begun oil exploration in its widened Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) which will enable strengthening its economy. “Sri Lanka has again become a tourist hotspot and it would be a great potential for the aviation and maritime industry”, he said.
The Secretary said President Maithripala Srisena had clearly indicated the need for bringing the Sri Lankan economy into new heights through his vision in Yahpalanaya and the government is working towards achieving this aim.
Air force Commander Gagan Bulathsinghala said the increasing importance of the Indian Ocean Region has ensured that any turmoil in the region can lead to a cascading effect on the regional and global geopolitical environment.
Former Air Force Commander Air Chief Marshal O.M. Ranasinghe said the maritime concerns were critical even when he was the Commander and that unfortunately he had failed in convincing the political leadership at that time therefore, the maritime domain had to be dominated through military presence and capability. He urged the present leadership to pursue this agenda with conviction.