By Lynn Ockersz

‘Sri Lanka’s proximity to emerging and developing markets and its already developed air and seaports in Colombo and Hambantota gives it a unique opportunity to be the next leading logistics hub in the region, with the potential to overtake Singapore and Dubai, if the cards are played right and the right governance and Ease of Doing Business regulations are handled sensibly, logistics and supply chain specialist Sanjeeva Abeygoonewardena (SA) said.

Abeygoonewardena made the above observation, among several others, while presenting an issues paper on Sept. 18 at a Sri Lanka Innovators’ Forum, functioning under the aegis of the Gamani Corea Foundation, Colombo. The event was chaired by the chairman, Gamani Corea Foundation Dr. Lloyd Fernando and was held at the BMICH. The paper was titled, ‘Shipping & Logistics, the Promising Frontier – Innovation-led Logistics Hub.’

Responses to SA’s paper came from a panel of specialists in logistics and allied disciplines, representing the state and private sectors, with Prof. Amal Kumarage, chairman, Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport, Sri Lanka, functioning as moderator. The rest of the panelists were: Messrs. Rohan Masakorale, Krishantha Fernando, K.D.S. Ruwanchandra, Ports and Shipping Ministry Secretary, and Ted Muttiah.

Some of the recommendations made by SA for the elevation of Sri Lanka as a number one logistics hub were as follows:

Establishment of rail and water networks from the seaport that will enhance and support the strength of Sri Lanka’s local connectivity.

Establishment of an International Maritime Centre, providing services for ship management operations and other value-added activities that will pull liners to Sri Lanka.

Sea-air hub connectivity must be streamlined, enhancing the efficiency of a single customs bonded platform via the single window concept.

More advanced abilities leveraging AI robotics and frontier technology to provide more value-added services at the hubs to support single-window and trade facilitation portals.

Skilled logistics professionals and an educated workforce through a Maritime and Logistics Campus will boost the growth of the local logistics industry.

Governance framework through a Collaborative Council of private-public officials who will act as custodians to carry out the national roadmap as a national logistics and transport services policy.

Invest in a consulting firm that can facilitate a capacity-building programme on improving Ease of Doing Business, Economic Freedom, Logistics Performance Index and Corruption Perception Index across schoolchildren and business councils that will create better awareness for the future.

A point that was emphasized by most panelists and participants in the lively and wide-ranging forum that followed the presentation of the paper was the need for the Sri Lankan polity to think beyond self and short term interests. There is an urgent need to prioritize the future well- being of the country over the gratification of immediate, selfish interests.

Rohan Masakorale, among other things, focused on the problem of bribery and corruption. It is difficult to achieve anything without greasing palms. There is also no leadership worth speaking of in Sri Lanka, he pointed out. These problems need to be eliminated. Local education needs to be upgraded and we need to achieve the standards obtaining in countries such as Singapore. His views found resonance with many in the audience.

Krishantha Fernando drew attention to the fact that local logistics development plans have a short term focus. There is a need to eliminate paper work in this context and to fast track planning processes. The Port Community system is vital he pointed out, among other things. K.D.S. Ruwanchandra pointed to the need for a system change in the logistics development field. In this context, the state agencies are working in a ‘crisis situation’. The proper legal frame work is being evolved by the state to resolve outstanding issues in this connection. Capacity improvements are being prioritized in the logistics field. There are considerable problems in most public spheres that need resolving.

Ted Muttiah stressed, besides other things, that although much has been achieved in the logistics field in the past there is a need to bring them all together, going forward. It was pointed out that port capacity takes years to build.

Dr. Lloyd Fernando questioned as to whether the country has a national plan. Do we have an effective system of governance? However, we need a holistic approach to national development. A prime need in this connection is to evolve a holistic plan within the logistics sector which would in turn be connected to a national plan.