Sri Lanka opens first boat launching ramp in Beruwala to boost boat export industry
Newswire: Sri Lanka’s first Boat Launching Ramp was officially opened recently at the Beruwala Fisheries Harbour, marking a significant step in uplifting the country’s boat export industry.
Constructed by the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development at a cost of Rs. 76 million, the ramp is designed to support the growth of the boat manufacturing sector, which has been identified as a major emerging export industry in Sri Lanka’s future economic development.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunneththi, Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Fisheries Resources Rathna Gamagamage, Kalutara District MP Chandima Hettiarachchi, and Ministry Secretary Thilaka Jayasundara.
Minister Handunneththi said in a statement that equipped with modern technology and facilities, the new ramp will allow entrepreneurs to launch locally manufactured boats more safely and efficiently, reducing production costs and paving the way for Sri Lanka’s boat industry to compete successfully in international markets.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka is steadily positioning itself as a competitive player in the regional maritime and marine manufacturing economy, with new infrastructure such as the recently opened boat launching ramp at Beruwala Fisheries Harbour signaling a broader shift toward export-oriented development in the sector. For foreign investors and maritime businesses, this emerging ecosystem presents several business/investment opportunities. The most immediate is in boat and small vessel manufacturing, where Sri Lanka is leveraging relatively lower production costs, skilled fiberglass and marine engineering labour, and proximity to major Indian Ocean shipping routes. With targeted investments in facilities, supply chains, and design capabilities, the country is increasingly capable of serving export markets in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Beyond manufacturing, there is growing potential in supporting services such as marine engineering, outfitting, maintenance, and specialised components like navigation systems and eco-friendly propulsion technologies. Infrastructure developments at fisheries harbours and coastal industrial zones are also creating demand for logistics operators, cold-chain facilities, and export handling services. Sri Lanka’s strategic location along key global shipping lanes further strengthens its long-term maritime investment appeal. As the Sri Lankan government continues to promote the boat export industry as an “emerging export pillar,” early entrants stand to benefit from policy incentives, expanding port infrastructure, and first-mover advantages in a sector still in its formative growth stage.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20260617Z_1 |