Sri Lanka's present and future fortunes intrinsically linked to ocean resources

The current and future prosperity of Sri Lanka is intrinsically linked to its coastal, marine and mineral assets or neglected ocean resources. Fisheries and tourism can be two main pillars of its gross domestic product (GDP) economy and source of employment.

- TISSA JAYAWEERA

Ocean resource development-connected fisheries, nautical tourism, boat/shipbuilding, ship repairs, mineral sand mining, aquaponics/hydroponics should be considered by our ministers, planers and public officials connected to ministries as well as private sector connected to fisheries and tourism, if they are capable of thinking out of the box.

We still follow stories said by planers in 1940s when we were a developed economy compared to rest of South Asia managed by the British. All countries around us since 1948 have turned a new leaf and are passing us or have passed us. Our governments and planers are still reading the pages of the old book.

Sri Lanka’s GDP global rank was 57 in 2020, China 2, India 6, Indonesia 16, the Philippines 34, Pakistan 39, Vietnam 40 and Bangladesh 44. By 2040, India is posed to be the most populated country, overtaking China and the GDP global rank 3, China hitting position 1, Indonesia 8, Pakistan 23, Vietnam 24 and Bangladesh 28. No prediction available for Sri Lanka. Where will we be by 2040?