Unveiling the Ancient Tapestry: BRISL Features at the 2023 Mayors Exchange Conference on the Maritime Silk Road.
Exploring Historical Significance: In his insightful address, Yasiru Ranaraja shed light on the historical significance of the Maritime Silk Road, especially in the context of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka, strategically positioned in the Indian Ocean, has a storied past as a crucial node on the ancient Silk Road. The Port of Godavaya in Southern Sri Lanka, dating back to the 2nd century, served as a vital link in an inland shipping route, facilitating trade connections from China to the Red Sea and the Mediterranean.
During the 12th century, King Parakramabahu the Great fostered extensive trade relations with China, Angkor, and the Middle East, establishing special trading zones in Sri Lanka. The ancient Port City of Galle, a significant hub for over 200 years, played host to Admiral Zheng He’s vessels during his treasure voyages to Sri Lanka.
Revitalizing Ancient Hubs: Yasiru Ranaraja highlighted the modern revitalization of ancient maritime hubs in Sri Lanka, citing examples such as the Colombo Port City and the Hambantota Port. The Colombo Port City is breathing new life into the ancient “Port of Kolomtota” from the 14th century Kotte Kingdom, while the Hambantota Port in the southern part of Sri Lanka is revitalizing the ancient Port City of Godawaya.
Maritime Silk Road Exchange Platform: Ranaraja praised the Maritime Silk Road Exchange Platform by Xinhua News Organization as a unique initiative to research and document the ancient connections between maritime cities. He emphasized its crucial role in building bridges between diverse cultures and distant cities, fostering unity among regional states, and promoting trust-building.
Global Perspectives at the Conference: The conference witnessed the presence of distinguished guests from various parts of the world, including:
- Nurlan Yermekbayev, Deputy Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
- Pov Somnang, Special Advisor to the Secretary-General of ASEAN
- Ahmed Nareesh, Acting Mayor of Male, City, Maldives
- Kackada Sar, Mayor of Preah Sihanouk City, Cambodia
- Evelyne Tchichelle, Mayor of Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo
- Gerhard Åkos Emod, Mayor of Velencze City Government, Hungary
- Pasquale Mario Mazza, Mayor of Castellamonte, Italy
- Nara Norngdy, Deputy Mayor of Preah Sihanouk City, Cambodia
- Kweku Melvin Sheldon Lisk, Deputy Mayor of Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Antonio Carlos Rodrigues Pereira Junior, Director of the International Relations and Foreign Cooperation Bureau of the City Hall of Duque de Caxias, Brazil
- Alessio Pascucci, Former Mayor of Cerveteri, Italy
- Joanne Marie Anderson, Former Mayor of Liverpool, UK
- Sonia Recasens Alsina, Former Deputy Mayor of Barcelona, Spain
- Yasiru Bandara Ranaraja, Co-founder of the “the Belt and Road” Organization in Sri Lanka
- Ibrahim Aboobakuru, Member of the Municipal Council of Male City, Maldives
- Toby James Gregory Brooks, Vice President of Ship Registration of Isle of Man, UK
- Elvis Vital, Protocol Director of the Mayor’s Office of Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo
- Wang Xinyuan, Deputy Director of the International Natural and Cultural Heritage Space Technology Center of UNESCO
- Zhang Lu, President of the Singapore International Zheng He Society
- Yang Yong, Director of the Silk Road Industrial Internet Promotion Center
The 2023 Maritime Silk Road Cities Influential Mayors Exchange Conference provided a platform for global leaders to delve into the significance of the Maritime Silk Road and its potential for mutual learning and win-win cooperation. Yasiru Ranaraja’s address underscored the historical ties between Sri Lanka and the Silk Road, emphasizing the importance of revitalizing ancient hubs in the modern era. The event showcased the collaborative spirit necessary for building a prosperous and interconnected future along the Maritime Silk Road.
