With a view of laying a foundation for a digitalized “Blue Economy” for future generations, the University of Kelaniya and the Institute of Ocean Resources Analysis (Guarantee) Limited signed a MoU on 10^th April 2023 at the University of Kelaniya.

The collaborative partnership was established to jointly and more effectively advance the “Blue Economy”, which is primarily focused on sustainable approach for the use of ocean resources in exploitation, conservation, and regeneration of the marine environment. Whereas this concept of the blue economy originated as the United Nations' 14^th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), the “Life Below Water”, among the 17 SDGs presented by United Nations, The blue economy has since come to represent a growing sector of the global economy. The signed MoU will pave way for developing necessary digital infrastructure, novel and innovative digital solutions and technologies to embrace Sri Lanka’s Blue Economy and advancing the sustainable uses of nations’ oceans and marine resources.

The MoU was signed by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, The Registrar of the University Mr. K. K. K. Dharmathilaka and Director/CEO of the company, Mr. Ayesh Indranath Ranawaka. The event was witnessed by Capt. Amitha Abeyratne from the Institute of Ocean Resources Analysis and by Dr. Chamli Pushpakumara, the Dean of the Faculty of Computing & Technology, Dr. Dhammika Weerasinghe, the Head of the Department of Computer System Engineering and Dr. Pradeep Samarasekere, the Director of the University Business Linkage Cell of University of Kelaniya.