Sri Lanka is taking a strategic step toward aligning its ocean economy with its clean energy ambitions following high-level discussions between the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar, and Norway’s Honorary Consul in Bergen–Vestland, Sturle Harald Pedersen.
The meeting, attended by Secretary to the Ministry Dr. B.K.K. Kolita Kamap Jinadasa and senior officials, focused on strengthening collaboration between Sri Lanka and Norway across fisheries, marine innovation, and sustainable ocean resource management.
The engagement reflects a broader shift toward integrating the country’s blue economy with its renewable energy transition—an area of growing global importance.
The discussions highlighted practical pathways to modernise Sri Lanka’s fisheries sector while safeguarding marine ecosystems.
Advancing marine research and data-driven fisheries management
Promoting sustainable fishing practices to protect ocean resources
Modernising fishing fleets and port infrastructure
Introducing digital and technological innovation into maritime operations
Norway’s experience in ocean industries and maritime technology presents strong opportunities for knowledge transfer and long-term collaboration.
While fisheries remained central to the discussions, the meeting also underscored the growing connection between ocean-based industries and clean energy systems.
Ports, shipping, and coastal infrastructure are increasingly seen as entry points for future hydrogen applications and renewable energy integration.
Adoption of low-emission fuels in maritime transport
Integration of renewable energy into port operations
Development of coastal energy hubs for future export markets
This convergence reflects a global trend where ocean economies play a critical role in enabling decarbonisation.
Greenstat continues to support Sri Lanka’s transition to a low-carbon economy through its work in hydrogen and renewable energy development.
Key contributions include:
Conducting feasibility studies for green hydrogen and biomass-to-energy solutions
Supporting government stakeholders and Education
Driving capacity building through the Greenstat Centre of Excellence
These efforts aim to build a strong foundation for a future hydrogen ecosystem while supporting national development priorities.
A key outcome of the meeting was the shared interest in expanding public–private partnerships and attracting strategic investments into the sector.
Cleaner and more efficient fishing fleets
Smart and sustainable port infrastructure
Marine technology and ocean data systems
Such investments are expected to enhance productivity, reduce environmental impact, and improve resilience across coastal communities.
The long-term success of these initiatives will depend on strengthening local expertise and institutional capacity.
The discussions emphasised:
Expanding training programmes in fisheries and maritime sectors
Strengthening collaboration between Sri Lankan and international universities
Facilitating knowledge transfer in clean energy and ocean technologies
This aligns with ongoing efforts to equip Sri Lanka’s workforce with the skills needed for both the blue economy and the energy transition.
The outcomes of this engagement reinforce Sri Lanka’s positioning at the intersection of ocean-based growth and clean energy transformation.
Greater alignment between fisheries modernisation and sustainable energy goals
Increased attractiveness for international investors and development partners
Opportunities to develop export-oriented, low-carbon industries
Strengthened resilience in both energy and food systems
As global energy systems evolve, countries that successfully integrate natural resources with clean technologies are likely to gain a competitive advantage.
The meeting marks an important step in deepening Sri Lanka–Norway cooperation across fisheries, maritime innovation, and sustainable energy development.
Continued collaboration between government, academia, and industry will be critical to unlocking the full potential of Sri Lanka’s ocean resources while supporting its transition to a resilient, low-carbon economy.
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Sri Lanka’s future lies in its ability to connect its natural strengths with emerging technologies—and partnerships like these are key to making that vision a reality.
University of Moratuwa (UoM) and Greenstat Hydrogen have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a formal framework for collaboration on hydrogen technologies and green energy solutions. The strategic partnership is designed to align with Sri Lanka’s national priority on green hydrogen and will leverage UoM’s research excellence to strengthen the country’s role in the regional energy value chain.
The five-year MoU focuses on applied research and technological innovation, marking a significant step towards building a sustainable energy future for the nation. The partnership will enable joint initiatives in knowledge sharing, capacity building, and the development of practical hydrogen applications that can accelerate Sri Lanka’s energy transition.
The signing ceremony brought together senior representatives from both institutions. Representing the University of Moratuwa were Vice Chancellor Senior Professor Niranjan Gunawardena, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Professor Jagath Manathunga, Registrar Mr. D.L.D. Jayantha, and Director of International Relations Dr. G.V.I. Samaradivakara. Also in attendance was Professor M.Y. Gunasekara, Head of the Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, underscoring the academic importance of the collaboration.
Greenstat Hydrogen was represented by Chairman of the Board, Hon. Sturle Harald Pedersen and Coordinator of Greenstat Center of Excellence in Hydrogen (COE-H) Prasadini Wickramasinghe.


29 SEP 2025
University of Ruhuna and Greenstat Hydrogen have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a framework for cooperation in hydrogen research, innovation, and capacity development. The agreement aims to strengthen academia–industry collaboration and position Sri Lanka as an active player in the regional green hydrogen economy.
The MoU will support joint initiatives to expand hydrogen education, advance research and development, and create opportunities for students and academics to participate in applied hydrogen projects. By combining academic expertise with industry knowledge, the partnership seeks to build a skilled workforce and accelerate Sri Lanka’s transition to sustainable energy.
The signing ceremony was attended by Senior Professor P.A. Jayantha, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ruhuna, together with Professor H.C.P. Karunasena, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Eng. Veditha De Silva, DMENA, Faculty of Engineering and Dr Sumith Baduge, Head of the Department of Marine Engineering & Naval Architecture. Greenstat Hydrogen was represented by Chairman Sturle H. Pedersen and Prasadini Wickramasinghe.


A high-level meeting between India’s Oil Industry Safety Directorate (OISD) and delegations from HAVTIL, Greenstat Asia, and Gexcon was recently held to discuss potential collaboration and knowledge-sharing opportunities.
The meeting was described as both productive and engaging, focusing on how the organisations can work together to support and strengthen safety standards and practices across the energy sector.
Director General Shri Arun Mittal and his team at OISD warmly hosted the visiting delegation, facilitating insightful discussions on mutual areas of interest. The exchange highlighted the importance of leveraging shared expertise and experiences to address safety challenges in the energy industry.
All parties expressed their interest in continuing the dialogue and exploring ways to collaborate further, with the goal of enhancing safety frameworks within the energy sector.
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In a significant step towards advancing the green hydrogen ecosystem in Asia, Greenstat Asia, together with HAVTIL and Gexcon, engaged in a productive meeting with the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) in India. The meeting was graciously hosted by Dr. Mohammed Rihan, Director General of NISE, alongside his esteemed team, setting the stage for strategic cooperation in the hydrogen and renewable energy sectors.
The meeting focused on identifying collaborative opportunities that could accelerate the deployment of green hydrogen technologies across Asia, aligning with global decarbonisation goals. By bringing together industry leaders in hydrogen safety, technology deployment, and energy systems, the dialogue fostered knowledge exchange and reinforced the collective commitment to support India’s National Hydrogen Mission and broader energy transition efforts.
“We extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Mohammed Rihan and his excellent team at NISE for hosting such an insightful and productive discussion,” said Sturle H. Pedersen, Chairman of Greenstat Asia. “It was a great pleasure exploring collaborative opportunities and exchanging valuable knowledge to support each other in accelerating the transition towards a sustainable hydrogen ecosystem. We look forward to strengthening this cooperation further.”


Catch the recording of this insightful webinar featuring Tor Kristian Haldorsen, Lead Advisor at the Norwegian Hydrogen Forum (NHF). With nearly a century of industrial hydrogen production experience, Norway stands at the forefront of the global hydrogen market. Learn how Norway’s innovative policies and safety measures are shaping the hydrogen economy and leading the energy transition.
✅ Key Hydrogen Projects: Overview of more than 200 hydrogen initiatives, including production, research, and technology pilots.
✅ Applications in Hard-to-Abate Sectors: Insights into hydrogen use in shipping, aviation, construction, and heavy-duty transport.
✅ Policies and Support Schemes: Understand how Norway’s policies drive the hydrogen value chain and develop new markets.
✅ Safety and Collaboration: Explore best practices for ensuring safe hydrogen handling and fostering cooperation between industry and government.
Tor Kristian Haldorsen is a seasoned expert in hydrogen policy and international collaboration. As Lead Advisor at the Norwegian Hydrogen Forum, he represents stakeholders across the hydrogen value chain. Tor Kristian has held key roles at Innovation Norway and the German-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce and holds advanced degrees in political science and comparative politics.
Get a behind-the-scenes look at how Norway’s strategies and policies can serve as a model for global hydrogen development. Whether you’re in energy, policy, or business, this webinar offers valuable insights into creating sustainable hydrogen ecosystems.
📺 Watch the recording now and see how Norway is driving the future of hydrogen!
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Catch the full replay of our exclusive webinar with Kristina Đurkić, Senior Business Development Manager at Kjeller Innovasjon AS! Dive into Norway’s latest hydrogen scale-up initiatives and explore the innovations shaping the future of the hydrogen sector.
Kristina shares her expertise in turning ideas into commercialization and emerging trends you won’t want to miss.
📅 Originally Broadcast: 18th October 2024