Round table on SL discourse on Green Belt and Road Initiative on Friday at Peradeniya University

The Pathfinder Foundation (PF) taking a pioneering effort in contributing to the Sri Lankan discourse on Green Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) possibilities and challenges invited the National Academy of Development and Strategy of Renmin University, a world-ranking university in China, to conduct a joint round table conference in collaboration with the Post Graduate Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Peradeniya. 

This round table conference is scheduled to be held at the University of Peradeniya on 27 August. The Vice Chancellor of the University Prof. Upul Dissanayke will be deliver the keynote speech of the conference.

Sri Lanka is a signatory of the Belt and Road Initiative that is in the process of implementing a few landmark infrastructure and connectivity facilitating projects. Of these initiatives, Colombo International Financial City (Colombo Port City) and Hambantota Port and associated industrial zone project are expected to generate transformational impact in the island’s economy.

Notwithstanding such potential of BRI-related projects globally, the Chinese authorities as well as project implementing in countries along the Belt and Road are increasing paying an attention to the newly-emerging greening BRI Initiative conceptualised and implemented by the major stakeholders at the round table.

Renmin University is represented by Professor Shi Yinhong, School of International Studies, Consultant at the State Council of China Professor Xu Qinhua, Vice Dean, National Academy of Development and Strategy Dr. Wangke, Deputy Director at Belt and Road Research Center, National Academy of Development and Strategy and Zhao Haotian, at Center for International Energy and Environment Strategy Studies. 

The themes of their presentations included the ‘Strategic Projection of China-Sri Lanka Relations’ and ‘Belt and Road Green Development: Emphasis and Approach’. Dr. Ying, Associate Director of the China-Sri Lanka Cooperation Studies Centre of the Pathfinder Foundation, will deliver a speech on ‘Environmental Laws and Regulations in China and BRI’. 

The round table is to be attended by a few Sri Lanka’s renowned environmental and development experts including Prof. O.G. Dayaratne Banda, Dean/Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya, Prof. Ananda Jayawickrama, Dr. Charitha Herath, Dr. Sisira Pinnawala, Prof. Hemanthi Ranasinghe, Dr. Shameen Jinadasa and W.A.D.D. Wijesooriya. 

On an invitation of The Pathfinder Foundation Sri Lankan experts will focus their presentations on ‘Contextualising the BRI: The Changing Global Picture and the Regional Dynamics,’ ‘Balancing between Economic Growth and Environmental Impact of Development under MSR: Opportunities and Challenges,’ ‘Environmental sustainability and development: Lessons from the Belt and Road Initiative in Sri Lanka,’ ‘Environmental Sustainability of Colombo Port City Development Project,’ ‘Sri Lanka’s Environmental Policies, Regulations and Practices and  Green Technology’ and ‘International Collaboration: Sri Lanka China Experience’.