The second edition of the maritime conference "VOYAGE SRI LANKA 2025", organized by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (SLEDB) in collaboration with key stakeholders from the public and private sectors, was successfully held on October 16, 2025, at the Kingsbury Hotel, Colombo, with the participation of Hon. Sunil Hadunnetti, Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development.
Under the theme "Unlocking Sri Lanka's Blue Economy Potential," the conference aimed to highlight Sri Lanka's contribution to the Blue Economy and its potential as a global maritime hub.
The Chairman of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board stated that the SLEDB remains committed to fostering a globally competitive marine and offshore services sector by promoting innovation, human capital development, and international collaboration.
Addressing the "VOYAGE SRI LANKA 2025" maritime conference, Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Hadunnetti emphasized that Sri Lanka's geographic location is advantageous for the maritime industry. The Minister highlighted that infrastructure development plays a crucial role in leveraging this advantage.
He stated that the ministry is working on formulating necessary policies to achieve international competitiveness in the maritime industry. The Minister also invited international investors to invest in Sri Lanka's maritime sector, assuring that the Ministry of Industry will provide all necessary facilities and support.
Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Labor and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, delivered the keynote address on unlocking Sri Lanka's Blue Economy through sustainable maritime investments and economic transformation.
Mr. Takafumi Kadono, Country Director of the Asian Development Bank, spoke on ADB's strategic partnership in Sri Lanka's Blue Economy transformation, lessons learned, and future investment opportunities.
The conference was attended by Hon. Anura Karunatilaka, Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation; Hon.Chathuranga Abeysinghe Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship; Development Ms. Tilaka Jayasundara, Secretary of the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Mr. Hanif Yusoof, Governor of the Western Province; Mr. Arjuna Herath, Chairman, Board of Investment of Sri Lanka,Mr. Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Export Development Board; along with officials from the Export Development Board, heads of other institutions, industry leaders, partners, and a large number of delegates from Sri Lanka and overseas.
Representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Sri Lanka Navy, Marine Industry Council of Sri Lanka, Colombo Dockyard, and GAC Group Sri Lanka participated in the conference.
International development partners including the Asian Development Bank (ADB), International Maritime Organization (IMO), and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), as well as academic experts from the University of Moratuwa and University of Ruhuna and local and international experts participated as resource persons at the event.
The conference was supported by Lanka Marine Services, Seylan Bank PLC, Lanka IOC PLC, Hayleys Advantis Limited, the Marine Industry Council of Sri Lanka, and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau as sponsors of the programme.
