CEO Shippers’ Academy Colombo (SAC) and the main organizer of the event, Rohan Masakorala told the media at the Galadari Hotel yesterday, many of the international speakers confirmed their participation, despite the uncertain background in the country following Easter Sunday attacks. “All the speakers, about 20 international speakers, immediately confirmed they are coming. At the time it was only 10 days after the attacks.”

Masakorala added, “Regional Director of shipping giant Maersk, Julian Bevis who is based in Mumbai said- “no terrorist can stop me from coming and speaking about Sri Lanka.” Among other, we have international support from UNCTAD and the global shippers’ forum.”

Drawing the attention of the audience to international terror attacks, he said, “Two weeks after the attacks in Colombo there was an attack in the UAE on four ships. I don’t know how many of you know about it. An oil line was attacked. The international media did not give much publicity. But if a firecracker came near our ships it would be headlines tomorrow.”

Masakorala said, “100 university graduates are sponsored to attend the event. We envisage 250 international travelers to be present. We have also organized field visits to Hambantota, Port City and the Colombo Port as part of the event.”

He said, “Sri Lanka did not become a transport hub earlier because of a political decision. In 1962, we nationalized the existing oil players in the country. After nationalization, British American Oil Company left. They went to Singapore. Today the biggest and strongest oil exporter in the world is Singapore. Now we also have such big plans and we are building our own refineries.”