Category: Daily Financial Times

A progress review meeting of the Sri Lanka Customs Department was held yesterday, bringing together senior officials and an International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation.

The IMF delegation included Andrew Okello, Cindy Negus, Greg Topping, Philip Griffiths, Bob Hamilton, and Maureen Kidd, who engaged with Sri Lanka Customs officials on reform milestones and next steps.

Sri Lanka Customs Spokesman said the discussions focused on ongoing reforms, operational efficiency improvements, and measures to strengthen revenue administration and compliance frameworks.

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has used this year’s Day of the Seafarer to call for greater protection for crews working in dangerous waters, warning that ships carry ‘more than cargo’ when they pass through areas affected by conflict and geopolitical tension. In a special message for the campaign, IMO Secretary- General Arsenio Dominguez said the day was an opportunity to recognise the millions of seafarers around the world who keep global trade moving every day.

Behind the food, fuel, medicine and everyday goods relied upon by millions of people, he said, are men and women working at sea, often far from home and family. The 2026 campaign, held under the theme ‘Carrying world trade. Carrying the risks’, seeks to place seafarers at the centre of the global trade story, particularly at a time when many crews are sailing through areas affected by conflict and geopolitical tension. D o m i n g u e z s a i d t h i s year’s theme feels especially significant, as too many seafarers are facing long periods at sea, uncertainty over when they will return home and limited communication with their families, while continuing to operate in dangerous waters. Across several key routes, including the Red Sea, the Black Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, crews continue to work in regions shaped by war, regional tension and security uncertainty. ‘Seafarers should never become unintended victims of wider geopolitical conflict,’ Dominguez said. He added that every ship carries more than cargo. ‘It carries people,’ he said, referring to seafarers with families waiting for them at home, often spending long months at sea in isolation, fatigue and stress, while continuing to deliver the goods, energy and supplies on which the world relies. The campaign also features Third Officer Clarisse Bangga, who was stranded in Hormuz before safely making it through an exceptionally difficult period at sea. In a video shared by the IMO, Bangga speaks about navigating uncertainty and risk while continuing to do her job. Her experience gives the campaign a human face, showing how geopolitical disruption is felt not only in freight rates, oil prices and supply chains, but also in the lives of those onboard. That is the central point of this year’s campaign. While shipping disruption is often discussed in technical or financial terms, the IMO is urging the wider public to recognise the people behind global trade.

The Day of the Seafarer is marked every year on June 25 and is recognised as a United Nations international observance day. It aims to raise awareness of the contribution made by seafarers to international trade, the world economy and society more broadly. This year, the IMO has invited seafarers to share their own experiences, the realities of life at sea and the moments that define their work, using the hashtag #DayOfTheSeafarer. At the same time, the campaign sends a clear message to governments, shipowners and the wider maritime industry. Protecting seafarers cannot be treated as a secondary issue. Their safety, welfare and mental health must remain central, particularly when ships are sent through regions affected by instability. ‘To all seafarers, thank you,’ Dominguez said, adding that their safety and welfare remain a priority.

The stage is set for one of the most anticipated clashes of the school rugby calendar as traditional rivals Trinity College and St. Peter’s College prepare to lock horns this Saturday, 27 June 2026, at Bambalapitiya. With the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2026 entering its decisive phase, this encounter is more than just a battle for points-it is a clash of tradition, form, and championship aspirations.

The historical context: A shifting tide

This rivalry, which began in 1933, has been defined by distinct eras of dominance. In the overall head-to-head record spanning more than nine decades, Trinity College holds a commanding advantage with 53 victories to St. Peter’s College’s 22, while six matches have ended in draws.

While Trinity’s superiority is evident in the all-time statistics, recent history tells a very different story. The Lions established their dominance through a remarkable 44-year unbeaten streak against the Peterites from 1942 to 1984. However, St. Peter’s finally broke the hoodoo in 1985, and the balance of power has gradually shifted since then.

The Peterites have enjoyed a significant resurgence in the modern era. Entering the 2025 season, they were riding a 10-match winning streak against Trinity, with the Lions’ last victory in the fixture coming in 2014 under the leadership of Tarinda Ratwatte. That run included eight consecutive league victories over their traditional rivals. The most recent encounter, played on 10 August 2025, was also won by St. Peter’s, further extending their recent dominance and strengthening their position in the rivalry’s contemporary chapter.

Current season form: The unstoppable force vs. the resurgent challenger

If history provides the backdrop, the current season offers a fascinating contrast in form and presents the possibility of a new chapter in this storied rivalry.

Trinity College: The favourites on a roll

The defending champions have been nothing short of sensational this season. They stormed through the first round unbeaten, compiling a perfect record with five victories and an astonishing points differential of +190. They have carried that momentum into the Super Round, sending a strong warning to the rest of the league.

Trinity opened the Cup Segment in emphatic fashion with a commanding 43-10 victory over Wesley College, showcasing their clinical finishing and structured attacking play. They followed that up by dismantling Royal College 48-15 in a ruthless display of counter-attacking rugby.

In what has already become a modern-day classic, the Lions edged past a determined Zahira College outfit 37-32, demonstrating composure and championship character in the crucial moments. As a result, Trinity remains the only unbeaten side in the Cup Segment.

St. Peter’s College: The gritty contenders

The Peterites also emerged from the first round undefeated, topping their group with 29 points. Their campaign has been built on grit, resilience, and an ability to prevail under pressure.

They secured a thrilling two-point victory over Ananda College, highlighting their attacking prowess. In another classic encounter, they survived a major scare to defeat Wesley College 17-13 despite playing with 14 men for a significant portion of the match, underlining their championship pedigree.

However, the Super Round has tested their resolve. In a major setback, St. Peter’s surrendered a lead to suffer a 38-34 defeat against a resurgent Zahira College, a result that has thrown the title race wide open.

Tactical frailties were exposed during that defeat, but the Peterites responded in style. Displaying immense character, they overcame a second-half red card to record a crucial 27-22 victory over Royal College, reaffirming their credentials as genuine title contenders.

The verdict

Saturday’s encounter presents a fascinating contrast between the league’s most dominant force and one of its most resilient challengers. Trinity will enter the contest as favourites. Their flawless record, attacking firepower, and consistency throughout the season make them a formidable proposition.

Yet St. Peter’s have repeatedly demonstrated an ability to thrive under adversity. Backed by home advantage and a squad accustomed to high-pressure situations, the Peterites possess the pedigree required to upset even the strongest opponents.

With the league title race intensifying and the weight of history hanging over the fixture, both teams have every reason to be desperate for victory. Trinity will be eager to reassert themselves in a rivalry that has recently been dominated by the Peterites while maintaining their unbeaten march towards another championship. St. Peter’s, meanwhile, will be determined to prove that their recent success against the Lions is no coincidence.

A thrilling contest awaits.

For Trinity, however, the looming Bradby Shield encounter against traditional rivals Royal College remains the ultimate challenge. That reality provides even greater motivation for the Lions to stamp their authority on St. Peter’s this weekend.

Adding an intriguing subplot to the contest is the fact that St Peters have loaned one of their valuable assets, former Peterite captain Banuka Nanayakkara, to Royal College. His presence in the Royal camp only adds another layer of interest to an already fascinating season.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday pledged to repeal the long-controversial Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) before the end of the year, while simultaneously unveiling plans for a new legal framework aimed specifically at combatting organised crime, in what could mark one of the most significant overhauls of Sri Lanka’s security and civil liberties architecture in decades.

Addressing Parliament during the adjournment debate on Combatting the Drug Menace, Dissanayake sought to draw a sharp distinction between the PTA, which has long been criticised by rights groups for its sweeping powers, and a proposed Organised Crime Act, which he said would contain narrowly defined provisions focused solely on criminal networks.

‘For many years, people struggled to secure the repeal of the PTA. I am pleased to state that this Act will be repealed within this year,’ the President declared, adding that final discussions had already concluded and that the Government would move swiftly to abolish it.

The announcement represents one of the strongest commitments yet by the National People’s Power (NPP) administration on a reform that successive governments had promised but failed to deliver.

Dissanayake argued that the PTA’s greatest flaw was its broad and ambiguous definitions, which enabled governments to use the law far beyond its original purpose.

‘Under the PTA, terrorism could be interpreted in many different ways,’ he said. ‘One could potentially bring charges under the Act based on wide-ranging interpretations.’

In contrast, he said the new organised crime legislation would contain precise definitions that prevent the misuse of State power against political opponents, critics, and dissenters.

‘The broad and ambiguous provisions that existed under the PTA made it possible to target individuals simply because they disagreed with those in power. We are determined to eliminate such possibilities,’ he said.

He also said the Government intends to effectively replace the current Online Safety Act with a substantially revised framework.

Dissanayake recalled that his party had opposed the legislation when it was introduced and criticised the previous administration’s approach to lawmaking.

‘We have no intention of implementing the Online Safety Act in its present form,’ he said, revealing that the Cabinet had already approved the drafting of a replacement Bill last week. ‘These were laws that had the potential to undermine the rights of the people and we are committed to abolishing or reforming them,’ he added.

Positioning his administration as markedly different from its predecessors, the President highlighted the deliberate policy of restraint in handling public protests.

‘Numerous protests have taken place across the country, yet no single water cannon has been used against the public during our period in office. Tear gas has not been deployed against ordinary citizens either,’ he said, noting that the only recent use of tear gas occurred during unrest inside Matara Prison.

The President pointed out that democracy required not only freedom of expression and the right to protest but also responsible conduct by political actors, institutions, and the media.

In a veiled criticism of recent protest actions, Dissanayake said demonstrations should target institutions rather than private residences.

‘Any protest may be carried out in front of the Finance Ministry or in front of Parliament-that is democratic. But going to an official’s home is an act of incivility,’ he said.

The President also used the debate to reject allegations that vacancies in Sri Lanka’s higher Courts were being deliberately left unfilled to influence judicial outcomes.

Referring to concerns raised over appointments to superior Courts, he said he had sought clarification directly from the Chief Justice and had been informed that the delays stemmed largely from broader structural shortages across the judicial system.

‘I noticed some claims suggesting that these vacancies are being deliberately kept open as a form of leverage to influence judicial decisions. Nothing could be more insulting to our judges,’ he said.

Dissanayake stressed that the Government had ‘absolutely no desire to control the judiciary,’ nor any intention of controlling the media or suppressing dissent.

While promising tougher laws against criminal syndicates, the President sought to reassure critics that civil liberties would not be sacrificed in the process.

‘We are committed not only to democracy but also to upholding human rights and human dignity,’ he said, presenting the repeal of the PTA, reforms to online regulation, and the crackdown on organised crime as pillars of a wider effort to reshape the State and restore public trust.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday launched a scathing attack on what he described as Sri Lanka’s entrenched nexus of corruption, organised crime, and political patronage, alleging that recent investigations revealed that nearly $ 1 billion had been transferred overseas through advance-payment transactions since 2023 without any corresponding imports.

Speaking during the adjournment debate on combatting the drug menace in Parliament, the President pledged to dismantle the networks he said had fuelled both the country’s economic decline and the expansion of organised crime.

Dissanayake argued that drug trafficking, corruption, and organised crime were not isolated challenges but components of a deeply embedded ecosystem that had infiltrated State institutions, political structures, and sections of the law enforcement apparatus, enabling illicit financial flows and undermining governance.

Earlier this month, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala told Parliament that authorities had uncovered several bogus import payments totalling $ 85 million. President Dissanayake said further investigations revealed much more.

‘Since 2023, advance payments amounting to nearly $ 1 billion have been made through Telegraphic Transfer (TT) transfers, yet no goods have been received. Such sums cannot be moved by ordinary individuals,’ he said, claiming investigations had uncovered links to drug money, corruption proceeds, and criminal activity, as well as involvement by certain bank branches.

Dissanayake framed the crackdown as a fulfilment of a public mandate rather than a political witch hunt.

‘If our intention had been revenge, it would have been carried out the moment we assumed office,’ he said, insisting the Government’s objective was to ensure that ‘those who stole public property are brought to justice’ through strengthened anti-corruption laws, expanded investigative capacity, and faster court processes.

The President sought to present the anti-corruption drive and anti-drug campaign as two fronts of the same battle, noting that organised crime had thrived because of political protection and corruption within the State machinery.

He disclosed that authorities had identified trafficking routes through airports, ports, and postal services, while also stepping up action against underworld figures and their associates.

According to Dissanayake, 23 individuals wanted under Interpol Red Notices have been returned to Sri Lanka, while another 35 suspects linked to drug trafficking have been arrested and repatriated.

He said the Government had established a high-security prison facility at Welisara to isolate major criminal figures and cut off their ability to communicate with networks outside prison.

‘We have significantly curtailed the ability of organised criminal gangs to direct their operations from prison,’ he said.

However, the speech moved beyond crime and narcotics to target what the President portrayed as a decades-long culture of impunity. Naming senior officials including Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Director Shani Abeysekara, Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) Director General Ranga Dissanayake, and Public Security Ministry Secretary Ravi Seneviratne, the President alleged the Opposition of attacking investigators, prosecutors, and the judiciary because they were exposing wrongdoing.

‘The establishment of justice, fairness, and a civilised society has become intolerable to certain sections of the Opposition,’ he charged.

The President also revisited some of Sri Lanka’s most controversial unresolved cases, including the killing of Lasantha Wickrematunge, the abduction and assault of Keith Noyahr, attacks on journalists and media institutions, the death of Wasim Thajudeen, and the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.

‘These were not ordinary civil disputes,’ he said, alleging that elements within a small section of the State apparatus had been used for political purposes to commit crimes and protect political power.

Dissanayake also alleged that past political actors had profited both from facilitating extrajudicial killings and from protecting criminals.

‘Money was taken both to have people killed without being brought before the courts and, conversely, to spare them from death,’ he said.

He claimed that a political leader had spoken to imprisoned drug traffickers on 92 occasions, though he stopped short of naming the individual.

The President said that Sri Lanka’s fight against drugs cannot succeed without dismantling the wider network that sustains it.

‘We do not believe that drug trafficking and organised criminal gangs emerged in isolation. We must address the entire ecosystem surrounding them,’ Dissanayake said.

Positioning the campaign as a broader effort to restore governance and public trust, the President declared that the Government’s mission was not merely to arrest traffickers, but to ‘transform the State into a civilised one’ by uprooting the political, financial, and institutional structures that enabled crime to flourish.

Though one hand is already placed on the Cup, the other hand is on the verge of grabbing it, but nothing is rock solid until the Lions get past their last hurdle, “The Rocks”, on the final weekend of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2026. Even if Trinity loses this match with two bonus points, they still could become League Champions, but they wouldn’t want that for sure, as they strive to clinch the League Title as an unbeaten side for the second straight year. (This column renders last year’s encounter between these two sides as invalid)

On the contrary, the Peterites shall aim to ensure that Trinity loses with either no or just one bonus point, so that they stand a chance to be crowned Champions, if Zahira, right royally messes up its chances at Havelock Park, just less than a kilometre away.

Wesley vs Royal at Havelock Park on 26 June:

We must acknowledge the Elephant in the room that led to the present reality of the Tuskers looking down the barrel once again, following four consecutive defeats. Although each defeat had a different reason, the core factor remains as the ability of situational decision making. There is no real shortage of skills, but deficiency certainly exists in rugby instincts, and perhaps knowledge to an extent. We even find Bowl Segment teams being quite sharp in quick decision making when faced with unfamiliar scenarios, without the help of their coaches, but we find the Royal Captain glancing helplessly at the bench for every petty decision made on the field from the beginning of each game, whereas he should have been allowed to make decisions as the captain. This isn’t proper coaching, and the end result of the long-term effect of preventing players from making their own decisions, has now manifested itself as an Elephant that cannot be shoved away from the scene instantly. Although this cannot be addressed entirely before this game, the question would be if there is sufficient time to remedy this before Royal’s primary event of the year.

Other than for the above factors that may or may not influence the outcome of this game, both teams are evenly skilled, that should provide a fantastic game of rugby for the spectators, hence this is a clash not to be missed. The following stats comparison are averages from two Super Round matches, excluding the Trinity games.

The first stats show sanctioned penalties, and the second shows the total number of offenses committed in one’s own half, that may or may not have been penalised. This puts Royal in jeopardy even before the match begins. Wesley would most likely go for the kill here, unless the penalty is awarded right in front of the sticks. Royal’s lineout turnover skills are pretty basic; thus, Wesley’s onslaughts are highly likely to take full swing, and end in Pick and Drives to put up the finishing touches.

Due to the above vulnerability, the Tuskers are better off avoiding kicking the ball away and holding onto possession, once they are inside the opposition’s grid. This would offer them ample chances of attacking and scoring, either with or without being aided by penalties. Since Royal is unable to retain their lineout throws reliably, it could affect their attacking chances, particularly using Mauls.

Both teams are deemed to pull-off spectacular breaks, and score an array of Tries by hook or by crook, hence the conversion accuracy could decide the victors, as it did in a few close contests during the past week or so. However, the stats show that both teams have converted exactly a third of their Tries, that doesn’t help to break the deadlock.

St. Peter’s vs Trinity at SPC Ground on 27 June:

The Bamba Brigade could have been another unbeaten side if not for the only, highly uncharacteristic, silly mistake that they made against Zahira, which doesn’t make any sense to date, thus we must conclude that it has to be an act of supernatural forces, as the Peterites have never done anything ridiculous like this in recent years. Moreover, you could be rest assured that the Bamba Brigade shall have a specially designed game plan to be executed exclusively for the Lions. Along with the Peterites’ undying attitude to prevail, coupled with their rugby aptitude that is at a phenomenal high, expect the Brigade to be another mega-menace to the Lions’ quest for unchallenged glory.

The following SPC stats are averages from their last 3 games, and Trinity’s stats are averages from their games against Wesley and Zahira. Trinity’s stats against Royal were not considered, as it was a one-sided affair.

SPC’s game discipline has continuously been an issue since the beginning of this season, and they might pay the ultimate price in this encounter, as consistent habits cannot be controlled abruptly, and certainly not in a crunch game like this. As such, we can expect the Saints to concede over 15 sanctioned penalties, and commit over 10 felonies within their compound, in addition to at least one banishment unto the dungeons, if not two. The Lions shall be equipped with well-defined plans, to take advantage of these situations, as they occur.

While ball handling is similar at both sides, Trinity has shown tremendous weakness in their lineouts, that may affect a bulk of their scoring chances using Maul offensives, resulting in lost Tries that might prove fatal in the endgame. It would be also a pity, since the Peterites are already quite weak in their Maul defensive tactics and skills, which Trinity would miss out on. However, the killer factor would be the full-out clearance kicks, through which SPC is very likely to score every time. Therefore, Trinity should rethink and realign their kicking strategy for this fixture, as the minute of mistakes could flip things over in an instant.

As this fight might also walk the tightrope, every point scored could be pivotal, hence successful conversion rates could matter. Based on the above stats, the points difference that could be achieved via conversions is just 2. Thus, as it stands now, it should be an even contest, although the Lions shall take the field as favourites. The equilibrium could be severely affected, if at least one of the following two things happen miraculously.

1. SPC restricting their penalty count to less than 10

2. Trinity curtailing their lineout issues

The second one has a higher chance of materialising, because the Peterite Forwards are traditionally not big on turnovers, hence are unlikely to contest lineouts.

Isipathana vs Zahira at Havelock Park on 27 June:

One doesn’t really need stats to argue that Zahira’s steady and fierce run cannot be stopped by Pathana’s present form. However, the Zahirians must take a few things into heart before they set foot on Green Machine’s home turf.

Regardless of the level of rugby that the opposition is capable of playing, this season’s Green Machine could beat that high flying team if they wish to, so its better not to make them want to, by provoking them. The following stats are averages from the last 3 games.

Most stats are comparable except for the conversion rate, which means that Pathana has to score more Tries than Zahira in order to catch up. This also means that the home team should avoid gambling by attempting to take 3 points off penalties, unless they could be slotted effortlessly with both eyes closed.

Zahira has shown vulnerability against Pick and Drives in the past, while Pathana has consistently revealed weakness in protecting their blindsides owing to slow drift defences. These two factors alone are sufficient to open up an incredible competition between Zahira’s fast, evasive Backs, and Pathana’s destructive Forwards who did a number on the Tuskers.

The Sri Lanka Air Force officially received ten TH-57 Sea Ranger multi-purpose helicopters donated by the United States at a ceremony held on June 23 at the Ratmalana Air Force Base under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

A landmark study warns that nearly half of today’s seafarers plan to quit within five years. As traditional crewing markets age and working conditions drive talent away, ship managers are scrambling to build new pipelines. The latest chapter from our new shipmanagement magazine.

The numbers are alarming. A major new survey by the World Maritime University (WMU), published in January and commissioned by the Officers’ Union of International Seamen, drew on responses from 4,372 seafarers of 99 nationalities to paint an alarming picture of a workforce under severe strain – and increasingly minded to walk away.

The report, In Search of a Sea-Life Balance in an Adverse Environment, finds seafarers working an average of 71 hours per week globally, rising to 79 hours for US seafarers. Around one-third of all respondents show stress levels classed as ‘severe and potentially dangerous.’ Work and rest records are being routinely adjusted to mask regulatory breaches. Shore leave is severely limited.

Most troubling for owners and managers is the finding on retention: nearly half of all respondents indicate an intention to quit seafaring within the next five years.

WMU president Maximo Mejia commented: ‘Prioritising seafarers’ mental wellbeing and healthy working conditions is a necessity, as well as the way to ensure the long-term sustainability of the maritime workforce.’

The WMU called for urgent, evidence-based action to cut administrative burdens, enforce realistic manning and rest standards, and embed human-factors science in regulation – arguing that without this, shipping faces a compounding recruitment and safety crisis.

Africa: the next frontier

Against this backdrop, the question of where the industry will source its future crews is becoming one of shipmanagement’s most strategically important challenges. The demographics of established crewing nations are shifting. Career competition from onshore industries is intensifying. And the working conditions documented by the WMU are making recruitment harder in markets that have historically supplied the bulk of the world’s officers and ratings.

Sebastian von Hardenberg, CEO of Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement and president of InterManager, sees Africa as the most significant untapped opportunity. ‘The declining attractiveness of maritime careers in some established nations makes diversification essential,’ he says. ‘We see strong potential in Africa, where seafarers currently make up only about 3% of the global workforce despite the continent’s vast coastline.’ BSM has been active on the continent for over a decade and last year opened its first maritime training centre in Ghana. Beyond Africa, the company’s smartAcademy initiative is building talent pathways through university partnerships in Egypt, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Georgia and

Turkey. ‘Diversifying our sourcing markets is not only about scale,’ von Hardenberg says. ‘It is about ensuring long-term resilience, competence and quality across our global crew pool.’

Captain Ali Ihtiyaroglu, co-founder of VTS Shipping, also points to East Africa, identifying Tanzania and Kenya in particular as markets where consistent investment in maritime education is bearing fruit. His emphasis, however, is on selectivity rather than volume. ‘The key criterion is not cost alone but the quality of technical education and adaptability to modern, digitally equipped vessels. Selectivity in crew sourcing matters more than usual right now.’

The value of unfashionable markets

Kuba Szymanski, secretary-general of InterManager, adds nuance to the new market narrative by arguing that established markets should not be written off simply because they have fallen out of fashion. ‘We are seeing Vietnam emerge as a growing source for seafarers, but our members are also not giving up on traditional crewing markets,’ he says. ‘There are still excellent seafarers in

established countries, and sometimes markets fall out of fashion rather than losing quality. Georgia, for example, continues to offer very good seafarers, even if it has not always received the attention it deserves recently.’ His overriding criterion remains clear: ‘The priority must always be quality, training, attitude and long-term career development.’

Building platforms, not just pipelines

For Henrik Jensen, CEO of Danica – one of the industry’s leading crew management agencies – the answer lies in combining physical presence in established hubs with digital capability to reach markets where no office yet exists. Danica has recently expanded into Turkey and Indonesia and operates what Jensen describes as a pioneering cadet programme in Kenya, among the first of its kind in the industry. ‘Our next phase of growth is focused on strengthening our digital recruitment capabilities,’ he says. ‘This will allow us to reach high-quality seafarers in markets where we do not yet have a physical presence, while maintaining the standards, screening processes and personal engagement that clients expect.’ The goal, he adds, is ‘a scalable, future-ready recruitment platform that combines global reach, local knowledge and robust quality control.’

Vikas Trivedi, co-CEO of shipmanagement at Synergy Marine Group, resists the temptation to label the crewing challenge purely as a geography problem. ‘Crewing strategy is not a geography question. It is a demographic and developmental one,’ he says. ‘The first priority is to deepen, retain and develop talent in established pools: India, the Philippines and Eastern Europe. The industry must also broaden responsibly into countries where demographics, maritime ambition and training ecosystems are

strengthening. The rationale is not low-cost labour. It is long-term pipeline development.’ That distinction – between responsible pipeline development and opportunistic cost arbitrage – is one that Niraj Nanda, chief commercial officer at Anglo-Eastern, the world’s largest ship manager, echoes this comment, saying: ‘Our priority is not to chase new sourcing regions for their own sake, but to maintain a stable, diverse and competent crewing base,’ he says. Anglo-Eastern’s talent pool draws on strong representation from established maritime markets, with diversity viewed as an operational resilience tool as much as a values statement. As the company expands further into the cruise sector, Nanda sees diversity as increasingly central to service quality. ‘A diverse, multinational team enhances service quality, promotes cultural awareness, improves guest experience and reinforces our

broader expertise in crew management.’

Leaking pipelines

Underlying all of these strategies is a harder truth that the WMU report makes impossible to ignore: no amount of geographic diversification or digital recruitment capability will solve a retention crisis rooted in working conditions. The industry can build pipelines in Ghana, Kenya, Vietnam and Georgia – but if the experience of life at sea continues to drive nearly half of serving seafarers toward the exit within five years, the pipeline will always be leaking faster than it can be filled.

The WMU’s call for ships and systems to stop being designed for the seafarers of 1995 is not just a welfare argument. It is, increasingly, a commercial one. Without meaningful reform to hours, rest, shore leave and administrative burden, the crewing question may ultimately have no geographic answer.

The quarter-finals and the semi-finals of Tier ‘B’ of the CDB sponsored MCA T10 Cricket Tournament will be played at the D. S. Senanayake College Grounds and the Mercantile Cricket Association Grounds tomorrow.

At the MCA grounds, HNB Assurance will meet NHB ‘B’ and Maliban Biscuits will meet English Tea Shop in the morning while, CameraLK will take on Peoples Leasing and Finance PLC, and Power Hand Plantations will take on Hayleys Group ‘B’ at the D S Senanayake College grounds. The semi-finals between the winning teams will be played at the same venues in the afternoon.

The losing semi-finalists will vie for the third spot at the CCC grounds on Sunday morning while the finals will be played at the same venue under lights on Sunday night.

In the context of the ongoing conflict between Israel, america and Iran and carrying a significant risk of escalating into a potential war situation developing first as a regional war and a subsequent involvement of other global powers signalling eventualities unpredictable, we have to be seriously concerned about our fuel supplies and the consequential energy issues that we may have to face.

This should not be another exercise of pacification only to avoid a possible panic situation among the public on account of future supply of fuel only confined to consoling statements to the effect that we have sufficient fuel stocks for the next two months.

This is a time we have to address it more seriously, being mindful of the future fuel consumptions of the country as well as the energy situation which is heavily dependent on fuel-based production as of now.

Therefore, it is necessary to pay special attention to alternate sources of energy in particular to renewable energy sources.

There is a growing conjecture about our attention and focus on this aspect due to various questionable decisions taken during the recent past on issues connected to renewable energy production. We have to swim away from the slow progress experienced by the sector due to these reasons.

Today the sector is slogging in its slow march towards the far-fetched high targets set to be achieved, many years hence which remains highly optimistic looking more like idealistic vision only.

The current global trends fast developing into highly controversial situations will make things unbearable for small highly dependent countries like us to actively engage in the energy sector improvement on a short-term basis.

The less we can become dependent on fuel-based energy will be better with an early attention rather than waiting with crossed fingers till a crisis is developed. Such an interest is warranted taking into account our critical economic conditions we are currently going through having just overcome a serious economic crisis.

It is hardly necessary to highlight the imminent dangers to the international community, especially to those countries heavily dependent on fuel supplies.

The building conflict around the Strait of Hormuz, which is the only opening from the Persian gulf to the open ocean, is one of the world’s most strategically important passages for fuel transports. On one side in the north of this strait is Iran which is threatening to block it. Which means in the most unlikely event that this happens 20% of fuel transport will be affected with countries in and around the Indian Ocean affected.

These risks associated with international situations apart from our own predicaments related to our poor economic situation will be unbearable.

Hence before it is too late we must address ways and means of minimising the dependency on fuel for our energy purposes as far as possible. For this a special focus on quick result-oriented programs will be necessary.

We have the potential for a quick resurgence to get best results from renewable energy sources that could be mobilised.

Mini hydro power section, solar energy sector specialty the roof top solar energy development, are immediate resources that we could seek refuge. The production of energy from city waste currently unutilised is another quick resource base for quick results. Investing in projects of this nature will give a political boost for the newly appointed local bodies majority of which are under the Government control.

In addition to the energy production it will pave the way for a profitable and healthy disposal of the municipal waste which is a big menace now. The known by-products such as manure from these projects will bring additional incomes to the local bodies to be utilised for more welfare measures.

There are many mini hydro projects awaiting clearance of obstacles created by the local public authorities due to various reasons, most of which are undue influences that could be resolved with authoritative interventions. In some areas public bodies have formed into mafia operations to block these with ulterior intentions.

The held up MHPs have the potential of generating nearly 2 to 300 MWs of power within a short time in addition to another 3 to 400 MWs of power from the rooftop solar sector.

Another important aspect which will result in quick restoration of a huge quantity of electricity is to restore energy lost in transmission.

It has been found the quantum loss is huge and can be quickly arrested if addressed as an urgent measure with the blessings of even aided assistance.

One reason for the serious lagging behind and the slow progress of the renewable energy sector is the lack of coordination among the dedicated responsible authorities in addressing issues confronted by proponents and developers.

Under the circumstances it will be a prudent step to create a single final one stop unit with authority consisting of representatives from Government agencies such as the CEB, SEA and CEA which play a role independent of one another of monitoring the activities and resolving issues of renewable energy developers.

The urgency of focusing this need is emphasised again due to the pending dangers confronting us.