The skin they say is the largest organ of the human body. Despite conflict provocative news on tattoo studios, predominantly ‘Tan’ Sri Lankans may continue to make their skins fairer & mark it with tattoos. Tattooing goes back centuries even to the Iceman of the Italian-Austrian border who lived approx 5200 years ago. Globally, across cultures tattooing had held different significances which includes protection from evil, declaring love, signifying status, religious beliefs & even as forms of punishment. (Ref. Smithsonian).

There were instances where some Sri Lankans were annoyed to see tourists with tattoos depicting their religious beliefs. Among those annoyed, there may have been the ones who used internationally prohibited ‘hot iron branding’ (han-vadu) to tattoo cattle to indicate ownership or ‘charity’ status. Hot iron branding is linked to ‘animal cruelty’ which isn’t promoted in Buddhism. In the USA; approx 32% have at least one tattoo. 69% of tattooed adults have got inked to “respect or remember someone or something”. 47% had wanted to make a statement on their beliefs & 32% had got the tattoo to improve appearance (PEW USA).

The efficient bionic skin.

Sri Lankans with tattoos depicting Chinese characters is becoming common but it isn’t clear if they know the meaning of those characters. The Chinese however, have developed a bionic skin based on the features of Dolphin & Shark skins for economic development.

Researchers of the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology & Engineering with the COSCO have developed a marine bionic skin to save energy in marine transportation. The study inspired by the marine creatures looked into the low resistance sharks & dolphins encounter in the water. The bionic dolphin skin has a comparatively simpler structure & is more cost-effective than the bionic shark skin (approx 20,000 USD per propeller). Once placed on the propeller's surface, it can improve efficiency & reduce energy consumption. The materials used comply with the International Convention for the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships. A COSCO owned very large crude carrier (VLCC) (300,000 deadweight tonnage) had sailed for approx 200 days equipped with a bionic dolphin skin covered propeller for over 35,000 nautical miles between China & Middle Eastern ports. As per the research, a VLCC can save more than 300 tonnes of fuel each year which is a direct benefit of approx 140,000 USD. It will reduce CO2 emissions by more than 900 tonnes (Ref Chinese sources).

What is in it for Sri Lanka?

Being part of the Belt & Road Initiative, equipped with the Hambantota sea port which can accommodate VLCCs, SL can directly benefit from these scientific developments. With reduced shipping costs & increased global trade, more ships will be passing Hambantota. All efforts should be done to attract all those to the port. If Sri Lanka becomes a free port with efficient ground handling, more tourists will visit making it the most favored tattoo on the global skin.

(Views expressed are personal).