Sri Lanka to form regulatory framework for tourism industry-linked passenger and freight vessels
The Cabinet of Ministers in Sri Lanka has reportedly approved a national regulatory framework for tourism industry-linked passenger and freight vessels operating in Sri Lankan waters.
According to reports, the move is one that had already been in the works under the former government, with the Export Development Board (EDB) having begun a project to formulate a national regulatory framework for the endeavour. This was done by the EDB in collaboration with the former Development Strategies and International Trade Ministry, Ministry of Defence and with the assistance of Lloyd Register Asia Institute.
According to a statement on Cabinet decisions released by Sri Lanka’s Government Information Department, four regulations were drafted after discussions were held with all relevant parties.
“The need for a national regulatory framework for the vessels that engage in commercial activities in the territorial waters of Sri Lanka due to the increase of transportation of passengers and freight by ships in line with the growth of the activities related to the tourism industry was highlighted earlier. These regulations were drawn up in that regard,” the statement has noted.
The proposal was made by Sri Lanka’s Ports and Shipping Minister Johnston Fernando to obtain the consent of the legal draftsman for the drafted regulations and to gazette and present to Parliament the same.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s geographical positioning in the Indian ocean has placed much focus on the island’s maritime and shipping sectors. Since of late, Sri Lanka has seen tourist arrivals to the country via luxury cruise liners. It is in such a backdrop that Sri Lanka is looking at regulating tourism linked passenger and freight vessels. This is indicative of the expanding business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s maritime and shipping sectors in passenger/freight transport related to the tourism industry. It is also indicative of the growing opportunities in constructing supplementary infrastructure facilities and accomodating facilities required for the tourism industry.
Article Code : | VBS/AT/20210507/Z_3 |