Sri Lankan Sports, Digital Infrastructure and Youths Affairs Minister Namal Rajapaksa spoke about the Sri Lankan government’s plans to provide support to the maritime sector
During a passing out event where seafarer interns were given their Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC), Minister Rajapaksa shared insights into the big plans the Sri Lankan government has for the maritime sector and to boost the confidence in Sri Lankan youths to embark on a seafaring career.
According to the minister, the Sri Lankan government aims to boost the sector to help create more lucrative employment for seafarers, “The Government will provide assistance, encouragement and whatever else is needed to improve this sector and was prepared to cooperate and work with all stake holders towards this end.”
Target: attracting talents into the industry
According to International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) Colombo Inspector Ranjan Perera, there is a huge demand for Sri Lankan seafarers around the globe. Adding on, he was confident that the demand for Sri Lankan seafarers would continue to hold interest with shipping companies, “It was only the other day that the ITF headquartered in London described the Sri Lankan seafarers as one of the best in the whole of Asia, if not in the entire world.”
According to current statistics, there are some 16,000 active seafarers in Sri Lanka. According to Sri Lanka Ports and Shipping Minister Rohitha Abeygoonawardene, the government has plans to spike the numbers to 50,000 seafarers as soon as possible.
The National Union of Seafarers Sri Lanka (NUSS) President Palitha Athukorale welcomed the support and was positive that it would benefit both seafarers and the industry, “The Government’s pledge to improve the sector deserves much praise and we at the NUSS are prepared to offer our cooperation and assistance in whatever way that may be required.”
Source:
Sunday Observer
Crewing Online Media Team
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