The delegation lead by the Chairman of Sri Lanka Ports Authority Dr. Priyath Wickrama, Rear Admiral Jayantha Perera Director General Operation of Sri Lanka Navy, Walter Rodrigo Director of Marine Protection and Indemnity Insurance services of GAC Shipping and Executive Member of Ceylon Association of Ships Agents (CASA), Rohan Masakorala Secretary General of Asian Shippers council and joint Apparel Association, and Elias Abraham Chairman of Sri Lanka Vessel Operators Associations (SLVOA) had very fruitful discussions on 9th December ‘09 at Lloyds of London with the Chairman of Joint War Committee (JWC) Clive Washbourn and the Vice President and Chief Analyst Dr. Dominick Donald, and James Butler Wright Senior Analyst of AEGIS, together with the secretary of JWC Neil Roberts. 

Mr. Walter Rodrigo together with Mrs. Sonali Wijeratne Minister (Commercial) and Brig Nirmal Dharmaratne Defence Attaché of Sri Lanka High Commission of London, had further discussions on 11th December’09 with the secretary of Joint Cargo Committee (JCC) Neil Smith, Managing Director Kirsten Parker, Senior Violent Risk Editor John Cochrane and Arvind Ramakrishnan Deputy Head of Asia Forecasting of Exclusive Analysis Ltd. 

While the JWC deals with hull insurance related risks, the JCC handles cargo insurance and more land based risk matters. The Lloyds’ Market association (LMA), London has appointed M/s AEGIS Defence Services Ltd, UK and Exclusive Analysis Ltd, UK respectively to facilitate functioning of the JWC and JCC. Security assessments provided by these two security consulting companies provide guidance on regular basis, to the decision making process of the JWC and JCC. 

The position maintained by the JWC and the JCC on Sri Lanka is that overall risks level has come down and it is important that Sri Lanka, particularly the Ministry of Ports and Aviation, Sri Lanka Ports Authority maintain a regular engagement with the LMA, and companies that report to JWC and JCC on hull and cargo insurance related risk to shipping. 

AEGIS and Exclusive Analysis on principal have accepted an invitation to visit Sri Lanka during January – February 2010 and make their own observations and risks assessment report, as the process that needs to take place for JWC consideration to have Sri Lanka delisted from the ‘Listed Areas’ maintained Lloyds of London JWC, in connection with Hull War, Strikes, terrorism and related Perils. 

The Hon Minister of Ports and Aviation appointed a committee in August this year representing various shipping and marine related parties to prepare an action plan as to how Sri Lanka could be off the ‘Listed Areas’ maintained by JWC, and the delegation led by Chairman of SLPA Dr. Wickrama has clarified the present National Security plan in place for ports in Sri Lanka, and have extended an invitation to JWC and independent Intelligent Consultants to make their own risks assessments on Sri Lanka, with an view of reaching the objective of establishing Sri Lanka as risks free country which will draw more foreign investors especially which will bring tremendous boost  for the Government development programs in the North and East.
(CPRD 15122009)