Hundreds of community members, relatives and friends gathered at Al Qusais Cemetery after Asr prayers on Monday to bid farewell to Mohammed Safwan Shanu, a 38-year-old Dubai resident who collapsed during a routine cricket match. 

His parents had travelled from India to attend the final rites of their son.

A native of Bhatkal in the Indian state of Karnataka, Safwan had built a life in the UAE over the past 15 years. He leaves behind his wife, three sons and a daughter born just four months ago. His elder brother lives in Dubai and is working at a private firm.

Friends said that Safwan had spent Saturday evening at Dubai’s Waterfront Market buying fish and groceries before preparing for the weekly Sunday morning cricket game, a ritual he had followed for years with close friends. 

Hours later, at around 7.10am on Sunday, Safwan collapsed on the pitch while batting during the match. Players rushed to his aid and immediately called an ambulance.

“We play cricket every Sunday morning and this had become our routine for years,” said Safwan’s close friend Nabeel Karikal, who was with him on the field.

“On Saturday evening, we had gone to the Waterfront Market to buy fish and groceries. He was perfectly fine. The next morning, we even travelled together in the same car to the ground and everything was normal.”

According to Nabeel, Safwan suddenly collapsed and lost consciousness while batting. “We immediately called for an ambulance. CPR was performed and he was rushed to hospital. We later came to know that doctors had declared him dead on arrival,” he said.

The sudden death of the known cricketer in the community drew hundreds of wellwishers and friends to the funeral at Al Qusais Cemetery.

Safwan moved to Dubai nearly 15 years ago and worked for a private firm for around eight years before starting his own business. “Outside work, cricket remained one of his greatest passions,” said Nabeel.

Muniri Atiqur Rahman, leader of Nawayath community in Dubai who had known Safwan since childhood, said that the 38 year old was remembered as much for his character as for his cricketing achievements.

Safwan had been leading teams and captained for some cricket teams in the UAE and had won many player of the match and tournaments awards over the years, according to his friends. (Khaleej Times)

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Emirates is preparing to introduce insurance guarantees to reassure travellers and revive Dubai’s tourism sector, which has been hit hard by the Iran‑US‑Israel conflict, Daily Mail reported. 

The carrier’s president Tim Clark said passengers would be guaranteed a way home, even via rival airlines if necessary, to ease fears of being stranded amid escalating regional tensions. 

Emirates is negotiating with insurers to make the coverage a “reasonably priced” add‑on for ticket holders.

The move comes as Dubai, which had hoped to welcome a record 20 million visitors this year, is losing an estimated £450 million a day due to hotel closures and lost business. 

Despite global governments maintaining no‑fly advisories, Dubai International Airport continues to handle around 40,000 daily transfer passengers.

Emirates has restored about 80 per cent of its pre‑war network and last week reported a small profit, with flights averaging 75 per cent full. 

The airline posted $6.3bn (£4.71bn) in profit for the year ending March, though the figure would have been $7bn (£5.23bn) without the disruption caused by the war. 

Clark told the Financial Times that passenger numbers have rebounded faster than expected, describing the profit as an “unexpected bonus” and noting the airline is “well ahead” of its initial loss estimates for the first quarter.

He further predicted the crisis, which has doubled jet fuel prices, will trigger a “complete overhaul” of global oil distribution, while reaffirming Emirates’ commitment to its four‑engine Airbus A380 fleet, calling it “an enormous cash generator and profit generator.” (Newswire)

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Dubai’s Crown Prince on Thursday announced the city’s first air taxi station, located near Dubai International Airport, was now ready.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, reviewed the progress of the purpose-built electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) air taxi station, the first of its kind in the world, which forms part of a wider network including Downtown, Palm Jumeirah, and Dubai Marina, all set to be completed by the end of this year.

The leader revealed he has directed the service to be launched for public use this year, with the first station expected to serve around 170,000 passengers annually.

“This project is a key milestone in Dubai’s urban mobility journey, reducing travel time and bringing the city closer. We thank the Roads and Transport Authority team and our local and international partners for delivering this landmark project, aligned with World Public Transport Day on April 17. In Dubai, we turn ambition into reality,” wrote the Crown Prince.

“Today, we take another step forward with the completion of the first air taxi station, reaffirming our commitment to shaping the future of mobility. Expanding transport options, from the metro and buses to smart and air mobility, remains central to building a global city that puts people first.”

Advanced facility

The station comprises a four-storey building spanning 3,100 square metres, a two-level car park, two air taxi take-off and landing pads, dedicated charging infrastructure for air taxi vehicles, and climate-controlled passenger facilities with a capacity to serve up to 170,000 passengers annually.

The station has been developed in line with high international safety standards. Skyports Infrastructure is responsible for the design, development, and operation of the station infrastructure, while Joby Aviation, developer of the electric Air Taxi, oversees aircraft manufacturing and operations, including passenger management. RTA oversees governance of operations and ensures integration with the wider transport network.

The stations’s infrastructure has been developed in line with the highest international standards to ensure readiness for commercial operations and seamless integration with the public transport network, including the metro, buses, and shared mobility modes.

Air mobility services are set to cater to residents and visitors, while enhancing connectivity between key areas, business centres, and tourist destinations.

Journey time

The air taxi will provide a distinctive new mobility option for residents and visitors seeking fast, seamless, and safe travel between key destinations across Dubai. The journey from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah is expected to take approximately 10 minutes, compared to around 45 minutes by car.

The service will also support integration with the public transport network, as well as individual mobility modes such as electric scooters and bicycles, facilitating multimodal journeys, enhancing connectivity across the city, and delivering a seamless passenger experience.

Test flights 

The completion of the air taxi station follows a year of rapid operational scaling for Joby. In November 2025, Joby completed the nation’s first piloted point-to-point air taxi flight, a 17-minute journey from its Margham test facility to Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC).

This milestone was accompanied by a rigorous summer flight campaign, during which Joby conducted 21 piloted flights to validate aircraft performance in desert heat. These tests provided critical data on thermal management and flight dynamics in high-temperature, low-density air, directly supporting the finalisation of operating manuals and certification requirements for the region.

To ensure a seamless transition to passenger service, Joby is pursuing a dual certification and qualification strategy in the UAE. This framework employs a parallel regulatory approach, utilising Joby’s FAA-validated data to support the launch of commercial services in Dubai, creating a clear pathway for commercial service while allowing the GCAA to remain engaged with the FAA during the final stages of the US type certification. (Khaleej Times)

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SriLankan Airlines has announced the cancellation of flights UL231 and UL232, operating between Colombo and Dubai, from March 21 to 24, 2026.

In a statement, the airline advised passengers to regularly check flight status updates via its official website and social media channels.

Passengers requiring assistance have been requested to contact the SriLankan Airlines Global Contact Centre on 1979 (within Sri Lanka) or +94 11 777 1979 (international), their nearest airline office, or the travel agent through whom tickets were purchased.

SriLankan Airlines expressed regret over the inconvenience caused and thanked passengers for their patience and understanding, noting that further updates will be provided in due course. (Newswire)

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Dubai authorities have confirmed that two drones fell in the vicinity of Dubai International Airport (DXB) on Wednesday morning, resulting in minor injuries to two Ghanaian nationals and one Bangladeshi national, and moderate injuries to one Indian national. Air traffic is operating as normal.

Dubai Airports, which operates DXB and DWC, resumed operations partially from March 7 after a brief interruption.

Travellers have been urged not to travel to the airports unless they have been contacted by their airline that their flight is confirmed, as schedules continue to change.

On March 1, a concourse at DXB sustained minor damage in an incident, which was quickly contained. Emergency response teams were immediately deployed and managed the situation in coordination with the relevant authorities.

“Four staff members sustained injuries and received prompt medical attention. Due to contingency plans already in place, most of the terminals were previously cleared of passengers,” the airport said in an earlier statement.

Last year, DXB welcomed 95.2 million guests, up 3.1 percent year on year, marking the busiest year in the airport’s history and the highest annual international passenger traffic ever recorded by any airport.

December was the busiest month in DXB history, with 8.7 million guests, up 6.1 percent year on year. The fourth quarter was also the busiest ever, with 25.1 million guests, an increase of 5.9 percent compared to the same period in 2024.

Total flight movements reached 118,000 in Q4, up 5 percent, bringing the annual total to 454,800, a rise of 3.3 percent year on year. (Gulf News)

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SriLankan Airlines has announced that it has resumed operations to the Middle East on a measured and limited basis, following the partial reopening of Dubai airspace.

Accordingly, flights UL231 from Colombo to Dubai and UL232 from Dubai to Colombo will operate today, with all necessary safety measures in place.

The airline emphasized that passenger safety remains its top priority as services are gradually restored. (Newswire)

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FitsAir has become the first Sri Lankan carrier to resume flights between Colombo and Dubai, with services 8D 821/822 now operating on schedule.

The airline’s return to service comes at a time when several regional carriers have suspended operations due to airspace closures linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. 

FitsAir’s move provides relief and convenience for passengers needing to travel urgently, reunite with family, or attend important commitments.

In a statement, the airline assured that it continues to deliver a smooth, reliable, and hassle‑free travel experience, prioritizing passenger safety and punctuality despite the volatile regional situation.

Passengers can secure tickets online at www.fitsair.com and access updated travel information as the conflict continues to affect airspace across the Middle East. (Newswire)

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Two male suspects, for whom Red Notices had been issued and who were overseas, and a female suspect wanted in connection with defrauding state funds, have been brought to Sri Lanka by air.

According to the Police, following their arrival this morning at Katunayake Airport, they were taken into custody by a team of officers from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

The arrested suspects are residents of Kandana and Uragasmanhandiya, aged 30 and 52, respectively. The female suspect is a 56-year-old resident of Mount Lavinia.

• The suspect residing in Kandana is an individual wanted in connection with an attempted murder crime. It has been revealed that while overseas, he is connected to a range of crimes, including orchestrating a shooting incident that resulted in a homicide in the Kandana area on 2025.07.03. This suspect has been handed over to the Officer-in-Charge of the Kelaniya Division for further investigations.
• The suspect residing in Uragasmanhandiya is a suspect wanted in connection with carrying out homicides using sharp weapons and being involved in a series of organized crimes in the Uragasmanhandiya area. This suspect has been handed over to the Officer-in-Charge of the Elpitiya Division for further investigations.
• The female suspect residing in Mount Lavinia, who is reported to have worked at an embassy in 2014, is an accused in a case where the Criminal Investigations Department is investigating the defrauding of state funds. She has been sentenced to imprisonment, fines, and compensation by the Colombo High Court. (Newswire)

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Sri Lankan police announced that two high-profile suspects linked to organized crime, along with a woman accused in a state funds misappropriation case, have been repatriated from Dubai.

Police stated that two prominent criminals accused of involvement in organized crime, who had been hiding in Dubai, were brought back to Sri Lanka early this morning (16 Jan).

According to the Police Media Spokesman, additionally, a woman alleged to be connected to a case of misappropriation of state funds was also brought back in the same manner. (Newswire)

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People with allergies should avoid Dubai-style chocolate, the United Kingdom’s food safety watchdog has cautioned, after several products failed to meet UK food standards.

These popular chocolate bars, typically filled with pistachio, tahini, and shredded filo pastry, have become increasingly sought after over the past year.

However, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has discovered “several” of these items in the UK that do not comply with crucial safety and labelling regulations.

Rebecca Sudworth, the FSA’s director of policy, confirmed: “we’ve found that some products contain peanut and sesame that aren’t declared on the label.”

The organisation emphasised that purchasing these bars would be “dangerous” for consumers with allergies.

The watchdog is now reviewing sampling data from products currently on sale to verify they meet food safety standards.

It added that it is advising consumers with allergies to avoid the Dubai-style chocolate as a precaution until its full results are known.

Ms Sudworth added: “People with an allergy should not eat Dubai-style chocolate.

“If you’re buying a gift for someone who lives with allergies, our advice is to avoid buying these products. This includes all allergies, not just peanut and sesame.

“People without allergies can consume these products, especially where they are supplied by reputable brands and retailers.”

Jessica Merryfield, head of policy and campaigns at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI), said: “The legal requirements on this are clear – any food containing allergens needs to be clearly identified and labelled as such to allow consumers to make informed and safe choices.

“To not do this is illegal and also highly dangerous as it makes such foods unsafe to those with food allergies.

“We urge all food businesses, including retailers and importers, to take immediate steps to comply.” (The Independent)

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The Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai hosted a high-level breakfast meeting recently (12), bringing together leading travel trade professionals, media partners, airline representatives, and key influencers to promote Sri Lanka as a premier travel destination under the revitalized “Sri Lanka is Ready” tourism campaign.

According to the Sri Lankan Consulate General, the networking event, held at the premises of the Sri Lankan Consulate General’s office, was organized to strengthen partnerships within the UAE travel and tourism sector and showcase Sri Lanka’s readiness to welcome visitors with renewed confidence, enhanced hospitality, and diverse tourism offerings.

Consul General of Sri Lanka to Dubai and Northern Emirates, Alexi Gunasekera, highlighted the remarkable progress made by Sri Lanka’s tourism industry and the country’s growing appeal among travellers from the Middle East.

He noted that Sri Lanka continues to elevate its tourism infrastructure, service standards, and destination experiences, ranging from beaches and wellness retreats to heritage sites, adventure activities, and vibrant cultural attractions.

“Sri Lanka is fully prepared and eager to welcome travellers from the UAE and around the world,” the Consul General affirmed. “With strengthened safety measures, improved accessibility, and an exceptional variety of experiences, we are ready to offer visitors an unforgettable holiday.”

The meeting also provided an opportunity for Destination Management Companies, travel agents, airlines, media and influencers to share their experiences and suggestions in promoting Sri Lanka as a preferred destination among travellers and to outline new marketing initiatives, destination updates, and upcoming collaborations with UAE travel partners. Participants engaged in productive discussions on enhancing connectivity, developing tailored travel packages, and expanding promotional campaigns to further boost visitor arrivals.

Attendees expressed strong confidence in the country’s tourism potential and reaffirmed their commitment to working closely with Sri Lankan authorities to promote the destination among UAE-based travellers, families, and holidaymakers.

The Consulate General emphasized that events of this nature strengthen bilateral ties and play a vital role in revitalizing Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, one of the nation’s most dynamic and fast-growing industries. (Newswire)

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The S. Thomas’ Mount Lavinia school Karting team has participated in the Sodi World Series (SWS) 12-hour endurance 2025 championship in Dubai, securing 3rd place in the Newbie Category. 

The Thomian Karting team, consisting of four members, was also awarded the Spirit of the Event Trophy. 

The “SWS 12-hour endurance 2025” refers to Round 3 of the Dubai Kartdrome Endurance Championship, which took place on October 25-26, 2025.  

“Pretty tough run for the whole team. But I am really proud of how we were able to handle the race. I would like to thank the College for letting us take part in the event and our parents for bringing us here,” said the Captain of the team, Ryan Gunawardana.  

This marks the first time a Sri Lankan school team has participated in the international event, competing against professional teams from across the world. (Newswire)

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Dubai Police have successfully thwarted the theft of an exceptionally rare pink diamond worth $25 million, foiling a gang’s elaborate attempt to smuggle it out of the country.

Police said operation ‘Pink Diamond’ led to the arrest of three suspects who had spent over a year plotting the crime. The diamond, certified by a leading gemological institute, has a unique purity rating and is considered virtually irreplaceable, with only a 0.01% chance of finding another of its kind.

Elaborate deception

Investigations revealed the suspects identified the diamond’s owner, a jeweller, and tricked him into believing that a wealthy buyer was interested.

To gain credibility, they rented luxury cars, booked meetings in upscale hotels, and even hired a renowned diamond expert to verify the gem. Convinced by their act, the merchant eventually agreed to bring the diamond out of his secure shop.

The gang then lured him to a villa under the pretext of meeting the “buyer.” Once the diamond was shown, they seized it and fled.

Swift action

Within minutes of receiving the theft report, Dubai Police formed a specialised task force. Using advanced tracking technology, the CID identified and located the three Asian suspects, who had split up after the heist.

Raids were carried out simultaneously at multiple locations, leading to their arrest and the recovery of the diamond, which was found hidden in a refrigerator bound for an Asian country.

The pink diamond is classified as Fancy Intense, weighing 21.25 carats, with exceptional clarity, symmetry and polish — all graded “Excellent.”

Merchant’s praise

The pink diamond’s owner described Dubai Police’s swift response as “astonishing,” saying their speed and professionalism gave him immediate confidence the case would be resolved.

After calling 999, he said multiple patrols arrived within minutes, began the investigation, and offered constant reassurance.

“To my surprise, the very next morning, they called to say the suspects had been arrested and the diamond recovered,” he said.

Operating in Dubai since 2005, he admitted he was caught off guard by the scheme and urged industry peers to strictly follow official safety guidelines.

“Dubai has become a safe global hub for diamond trade. It’s important we uphold the standards that make that possible,” he added. (Gulf News)

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People living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will soon be able to use ChatGPT Plus for free. This makes the UAE the first country in the world to give free access to the premium version of ChatGPT to its entire population. 

The plan is part of a big partnership between OpenAI and the UAE government, which also includes building a huge AI data centre called Stargate UAE in Abu Dhabi. This project is a major step for both sides. OpenAI and its partners are working on building a powerful one-gigawatt AI computing cluster, with the first part — around 200 megawatts — expected to be ready next year.

According to Axios, Stargate UAE is part of OpenAI’s “OpenAI for Countries” programme, which helps other nations build their own AI systems and tools while working closely with the United States. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman called the project “a bold vision” and said it’s a way to bring the benefits of AI — like better healthcare, modern education, and cleaner energy — to more places around the world.

The UAE deal also includes big names like Oracle, Nvidia, Cisco, SoftBank, and G42, an AI company from the Middle East supported by Microsoft. Together, they’re aiming to make the UAE a key location for AI in the region.

The project is not only about building large data centres. The goal is to bring AI closer to the people. Through OpenAI for Countries, OpenAI wants to create AI that fits each country’s local needs — such as working in their own languages and following their own rules. This also helps protect people’s data and makes sure AI is used in a fair and responsible way.

The UAE has also agreed to match its AI spending at home by investing the same amount in AI projects in the United States. Axios reports that this could add up to $20 billion in total investment, split between the Gulf and the US.

Looking ahead, OpenAI’s Chief Strategy Officer, Jason Kwon, will visit other countries across Asia Pacific to discuss similar partnerships. OpenAI says it hopes the UAE is just the beginning, and that it will soon help more countries set up their own AI systems. (India Today)

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Minister Nalinda Jayatissa defended President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s foreign travel expenses in Parliament, explaining how three overseas visits cost only Rs. 1.8 million during his five month tenure.

“There are different types of presidential visits—state visits, duty visits, invitational visits, and personal visits,” Jayatissa said, responding to skepticism over the low expenditure.

“Some MPs struggle to understand how our President’s trips over the past five months cost only Rs. 1.8 million, yet they have no issue with Mahinda Rajapaksa spending Rs. 3,572 million,” he said, adding that the real question should be how such large sums were spent by previous administrations.

The Minister gave the following breakdown of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s overseas visits:

•⁠ ⁠India visit: Rs. 1.22 million, including Rs. 312,350 for airfare and diplomatic gifts.
•⁠ ⁠China visit: Airfare was covered by the Chinese government, with only Rs. 386,000 spent by the Presidential Secretariat.
•⁠ ⁠UAE visit: Airfare was covered, with total expenses at Rs. 279,971.

Additionally, the President receives a per diem for such visits. Jayatissa revealed that Dissanayake returned his allowances—USD 2,055 from the China visit and USD 960 from the Dubai visit—back to the Secretariat.

“Ask Mahinda Rajapaksa, Maithripala Sirisena, or Gotabaya Rajapaksa if they ever returned a cent of their per diem,” he challenged.

He further stated that a refund is expected from the India tour and argued that Parliament should be questioning how Rs. 3,572 million was spent under previous administrations, rather than scrutinizing cost-saving measures. (Newswire)

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A Dubai couple of Indian-origin has held their wedding ceremony in Hambantota, promoting Sri Lanka as a wedding destination.

The billionaire couple had selected the Shangri-La Hotel in Hambantota to hold their wedding ceremony with over 400 guests. 

Several guests had praise for the island nation, stating “Hospitality was amazing and that Sri Lanka is made up of natural beauty and has everything, which makes it a perfect destination.” (Newswire)

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The Police have recovered an internationally manufactured weapon that was used in a shooting incident in 2019 in which an individual was killed. 

The Police said the suspect wanted in connection to the murder had fled to Dubai, but had been arrested by the Dubai authorities after an Interpol Red Notice was issued.

The suspect was brought to Sri Lanka by a team of Criminal Investigations Department (CID) officials on July 12 and investigations commenced after obtaining a 90-day detention order.

During an interrogation of the suspect, the Police were able to recover the weapon used in the shooting, which had been buried in an abandoned land adjacent to a house in Nugegoda on Monday.

The suspect is a 48-year-old resident of Nugegoda. The Police Homicide & Organized Crimes Division is conducting investigations. (Newswire)  

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Tourism Minister Harin Fernando met the Chairman of Emirates Airlines, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum in Dubai, during which an agreement was reached with Emirates to promote Sri Lanka as a tourist destination.

Minister Fernando told Newswire that the Emirates Airline Chairman had also expressed support for Sri Lanka’s influencer programme. 

During the meeting, an agreement was also made to make Sri Lanka among the first set of destinations to be served by Emirates’ A350 aircraft, with the service kickstarting in September this year. 

Tourism Minister Harin Fernando is in Dubai to attend the Arabian Travel Market (ATM), one of the Middle East’s annual big-ticket industry events, underway from May 06-09.

The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) has been participating in this event since 2003 along with the members of the travel and tourism industry in Sri Lanka. 

It is one of the most crucial and leading trade fairs included in Sri Lanka Tourism’s promotional schedule. The SLTPB has been an active participant each year, displaying a new variety of promotional material each year. (Newswire)

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A year’s worth of rain unleashed immense flash flooding in Dubai Tuesday as roads turned into rivers and rushing water inundated homes and businesses.

Shocking video showed the tarmac of Dubai International Airport – recently crowned the second-busiest airport in the world – underwater as massive aircraft attempt to navigate floodwaters. Large jets looked more like boats moving through the flooded airport as water sprayed in their wake and waves rippled through the deep water.

Disruption to airport operations continued into Wednesday, with access roads blocked by flooding and multiple airlines including flag carrier Emirates reporting flight delays. Budget airline Flydubai canceled all flights until 10 a.m. local time Wednesday.

One stranded passenger told CNN he spent the night at the airport with hundreds of others after flying in from Hong Kong late Tuesday because there were no transport options out of the terminal.

“The airport is literally filling up and there’s nowhere for anyone to go,” said Bilal, 25, who only wished to be identified by his first name.

Nearly 4 inches (100 mm) of rain fell over the course of just 12 hours on Tuesday, according to weather observations at the airport – around what Dubai usually records in an entire year, according to United Nations data.

The rain fell so heavily and so quickly that some motorists were forced to abandon their vehicles as the floodwater rose and roads turned into rivers.

Video from social media showed water rushing through a major shopping mall and inundating the ground floor of homes.

Like the rest of the United Arab Emirates, Dubai has a hot and dry climate. As such, rainfall is infrequent and in many areas there is limited infrastructure such as drainage to handle extreme events.

When it rained Tuesday, it absolutely poured.

Torrential rainfall events like this will become more frequent due to human-driven climate change. As the atmosphere continues to warm, it’s able to soak up more moisture like a towel and then ring it out in the form of more extreme gushes of flooding rainfall.

The rain that plunged Dubai underwater is associated with a larger storm system traversing the Arabian Peninsula and moving across the Gulf of Oman. This same system is also bringing unusually wet weather to nearby Oman and southeastern Iran.

Rain is expected to taper off in the region but a few showers may linger Wednesday before dry weather returns. (CNN)

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Sri Lanka has participated in the 30th edition of the Dubai International Boat Show (DBIS) held in Dubai, UAE from 28th February – 3rd March 2024.

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) with the assistance of the Sri Lanka Embassy in UAE and the Sri Lanka Consulate General in Dubai organized Sri Lanka’s participation at the event.

The Boat & Ship Building sector has been identified as an emerging export sector which offers a wide variety of products and services to international market. The sector uses advanced materials and technologies to be on par with global counterparts aligned with sustainable manufacturing.

The increasing demand for boats worldwide, regional and local for fishing, industrial, commercial and leisure purposes open up huge opportunities and new markets for Sri Lanka, due to its strategic location, highly trainable workforce and the labour cost advantage. 

The government having identified the importance and the potential of the development of the sector has made arrangements to strengthen the marketing, promotion and branding initiatives of the industry parallelly to enhance the national and international recognition of the Sri Lankan Boat industry. 

Therefore, in order to raise the awareness on the potential of the industry, EDB initiated a number of promotional programmes for the Sri Lanka boat-building industry to increase the national and international visibility of the Sri Lankan Boating industry. Accordingly, EDB co-organize the Boat & Marine Show Sri Lanka with the relevant stakeholders biennially and organized Sri Lanka country pavilions at the world premier boat shows such as Genoa Boat Show – Italy and Dusseldorf Boat Show, Germany.

In continuing this effort, EDB organized a Sri Lanka Country Pavilion at the Dubai International Boat Show (DBIS) held from 28th February – 3rd March 2024 in Dubai, UAE, with the objectives of enhancing the international visibility of Sri Lanka Boat Building/ Marine Industry, gaining knowledge on market trends, new products, competitor intelligence, the latest technology available etc. and establishing business contacts with boat and marine vendors across the world. Accordingly, three Sri Lankan Boat Builders/ exporters are showcasing their products at this premier show to explore possible avenues in developing and promoting the Sri Lanka boat-building industry. 

DIBS is the largest and most established boat show in the UAE, GCC, and Middle East and serves as a platform for industry professionals, boat owners and potential buyers to network, build relationships and explore business opportunities. It provides a conducive environment for conducting business meetings, forging partnerships and discussing the latest trends and developments in the industry.

The show features an impressive display of boats and yachts from renowned manufacturers and shipyards worldwide. Visitors can explore a diverse range of boats, from small dinghies to luxurious superyachts and witness the latest designs, technologies and innovations in the boating industry. 

Also, it is expected to get maximum benefits of the seminars and discussions held parallelly with leading industry experts on yacht brokerage, yacht charter, yacht transportation and delivery to update the knowledge Sri Lankan exhibitors attend at the show.

In this context, Sri Lankan participants received a precious opportunity to present capabilities of the Sri Lankan Boating industry at the seminar to be organized parallel to the DBIS. Accordingly, Mr. Shan Perera, CEO/ Director, Neil Fernando & Company (Pvt) Ltd and Ms. Gayathri Amarasinghe, Manager, Sales & Administration, Dhanusha Marine Lanka Exports (Pvt) Ltd presented Sri Lankan competencies on “Sri Lanka’s competitive position in the Boating Industry” on 2nd March 2024 at the Dubai Port. 

EDB will continue to support the industry in resolving its issues and creating opportunities for them to grow in the international market. (NewsWire)

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