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Sunday Nov 24, 2024
Wednesday, 12 November 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Proceedings opened to the Inaugural Plenary consisting of
LKIIRSS Executive Director Asanga Abeyagoonasekera, Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal and Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Sri Lanka Wu Jianghao, who stressed the five links to MSR quoting President Rajapaksa’s emphasis on “strategic co-operative partnership” while supporting Sri Lankan development, safeguarding its independence and “the Sri Lankan people’s choice to the path of development”.
Abeyagoonasekera went on to quote Xi Jing Ping from a statement on the day before the seminar, stating: “China will accelerate the construction of the Silk Road economic belt and strengthen cooperation with countries involved.”
The topics addressed over this panel consisted of the historic existence of a Maritime Silk Route and the opportune position both Sri Lanka and China stand in geographically to revive a past route and making Sri Lanka, as described by Governor Cabraal, an economic, cultural and educational hub along the Maritime Silk Road as a plan of “benefit to many countries”.
‘MSR: The past, present and future’
The opening session ‘MSR: The past, present and future’ moderated by LKIIRSS Research Associate Ramla Wahab discussed the historic ‘Silk Route’ evaluating the opportunities and implications of its revival, taking lessons from both its diplomatic and trading histories.
University of Colombo Senior Lecturer Dr. Sandagomi Coperahewa related how the trade route was further a medium for the interaction of ideas and intercultural dialogue. Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute former Director General Dr. Sarala Fernando explained how the historic route flourished in an environment of peaceful co-existence and mutual benefit.
Sri Lanka Export Development Board retired officer T.K. Premadasa shed light on an economic perspective to the Maritime Silk Road through an analysis of Sino-Sri Lankan trade statistics pointing to how a re-launch of the ancient Road will rebuild and strengthen Chinese relations with the rest of the countries in South Asia, resulting in mutual economic benefits. Regional expert General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University Senior Lecturer Dr. Sithara Fernando provided an overview of the Chinese maritime relations with South Asia.
‘Development through Cooperation’
The second session, ‘Development through Co-operation: an International Relations Perspective’ was moderated by former Sri Lankan Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China Nihal Rodrigo, who promoted the economic benefits of cooperation by referring to previous initiatives, such as the Nanning China-ASEAN Expo, but also warned of the potential controversies involved in building connectivity across the Indian Ocean Region.
Further on the panel, Dr. Song Junying, visiting scholar from the China Institute of International Studies, explored themes of bilateral cooperation in the spheres of politics, economics, security and socio-cultural avenues. While Dr. Sinha Raja Tammita-Delgoda evaluated the question of the Silk Route providing a catalyst to development and transformation, Hasalaka Arampola emphasised the need to ensure that the Maritime Silk Road policy harnesses opportunities to realistically create a win-win situation to all parties concerned through the Indian Ocean region and beyond.
‘MSR: Global and Regional perspectives’
Discussed over the session titled ‘MSR: Global and Regional perspectives,’ moderated by HNB Chairperson Dr. Ranee Jayamaha, were a variety of topics ranging from entrepreneurship to current affairs. University of Colombo Professor and Head of the Faculty of Management and Finance Prof. H.D. Karunaratne explained the role of entrepreneurs in establishing and maintaining the link between macro and micro performances of a country, as presently in Sri Lanka “only 3% labour force is represented by business owners”.
Shen Yamei, visiting scholar and Associate Research Fellow from the China Institute of International Studies, discussed the principal focus of the initiative and the need to facilitate a framework in order to strengthen “maritime economy, environment, technical and scientific cooperation”. On a different note, University of Trondheim Professor Prof. Indra de Soysa addressed the many controversies that have arisen with regard to the growth of China.
The conference proceedings will be complied in a Conference Report to be published by the Kadirgamar Institute, including research papers of above-mentioned speakers including Emeritus Prof. Vini Vitharana and RCSS Colombo Executive Director Dr. Mallika Joseph. The seminar on the ‘21st Century Maritime Silk Road’ served as a platform for experts to share their experience and research on the topic on a platform engaging in constructive debate and discussion.
