To coincide with its 40th anniversary, the Sri Lanka Logistics and Freight Forwarders Association (SLFFA), plans to inaugurate the National Logistics Awards. The programme is designed to recognize the best logisticians and related service providers and appreciate their dedicated service to the economy. During the tumultuous year of 2020, the importance and indispensability of the logistics industry was understood across all economies. For years the silent endeavours of logisticians went unnoticed, but with the introduction of NLA, there will be a common platform for all segments within the industry to shine.
NLA’s primary objective is the upliftment of standards and service levels across all logistical service providers by making each market player more accountable. SLFFA also wishes to improve the image, visibility and overall recognition of the industry by positioning logistics to be a more colourful and flamboyant field.
Logistics is mostly a B2B industry, but with the improvements in the field of electronic commerce, logisticians are increasingly starting to liaise with end consumers as well. Through NLA it is anticipated that both types of customers would be provided enhanced levels of service.
The NLA would provide all logisticians a fair and equal opportunity to display their forte and prove their contributions to the industry. This will help those who are top performers to win over the confidence of their customers and encourage others to move in to the top tiers.
By way of NLA, a window would be created for the much due recognition to be granted to the industry and over a period it is expected that more attention would be given by the authorities and regulators as well.
CINEC Campus
Professor Lalith Edirisinghe, is a Doctor of Transportation planning and Logistics Management. He is a Chartered Marketer and Chartered Logistician. He is an Expert Consultant to the ESCAP of the United Nations. He is Dean of Faculty of Management of CINEC Campus and Head of CINEC Society Linkage Cell, a project of the World Bank.
CINEC and Professor Edirisinghe were instrumental in incorporating Logistics in school curriculum. He published a Sinhala textbook on Logistics introducing two new transport theories and a Shipping book conceptualising Virtual Container Yard.
Sri Lanka Export Development Board
Mr. Indrakeerthi serves as the Additional Director General – Finance and Administration at the Sri Lanka Export Development Board. He holds a Bachelor of Science special Degree and a Masters in Philosophy (MPhil) from University of Peradeniya.
During his distinguished 27-year career, He has served as the Director of Trade Facilitation & Trade Information, Head and the Deputy Director of the Sri Lanka National Packaging Centre of the EDB.
He has worked as the Deputy Director (Administration) at the Tea Research Institute of Sri Lanka and as a Research Assistant at the Faculty of Science in University of Peradeniya for two years.
He has extensive experience in Trade Facilitation while handling EDB’s Exporters’ Forum where the trade related bottlenecks are discussed and resolved in association with the private and public sector. He represents EDB at the National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) and involved the consultations in formulating National Export Strategy in the field of Logistics and National Quality Infrastructure, from the perspective of Exporters and the Trade facilitation institutions. He also experienced locally and overseas in training, and development in the areas of Export Procedure, Packaging development, Quality infrastructure and other related disciplines.
Sri Lanka Ports Authority
Dr. Prasantha Jayamanna is the founder, Chairman & CEO of DPJ Holdings & Affiliated Companies. In addition to that Dr. Jayamanna has also been appointed as a Senior Advisor to the Hon. Minister of Ports & Shipping and the Vice Chairman of Sri Lanka Ports Authority as well as sits on the Boards of several publicly listed and Private Companies such as South Asia Gateway Terminals Pvt. Ltd (SAGT), Colombo International Container Terminals Ltd. (CICT), Hambantota International Port Group Company Pvt. Ltd. (HIPG), Hambantota International Port Services Company Pvt. Ltd. (HIPS), Lanka Coal Company Ltd. etc. He is a Doctor of Business Administration, most awarded Youngest Entrepreneur in Sri Lanka, and Leadership Lecturer with vast knowledge in the implementation of strategic solution.
Dr. Jayamanna holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Western Sydney – Australia, Owner President Management (OPM) from the Harvard Business School and Leading Product Innovation (LPI) from the Harvard University. He is a Certified Lecturer for Australian Institute of Business (AIB), Australian Institute of Management (AIM), Heriot Watt University –UK, University of Bedfordshire – UK, Visiting Lecture for Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), MSc, MBA and PhD Lecturer for all above institutions from 2012 onward.
He is a most awarded youngest Entrepreneur in Sri Lanka and awards and appreciations received are, Sri Lanka Entrepreneur of the Year 2014 (National Award), Sri Lanka Entrepreneur of the Year 2013 (National Award), Academy for Global Business Advancement (AGBA), Distinguished Doctoral Dissertation Award – 2012, Ceylon National Chamber of Industries Achievers Award – 2012, Sri Lanka Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 (National Award), COYLE Award of Excellence for Outstanding Performance-2011, Sri Lanka Entrepreneur of the Year 2011 (National Award), COYLE (Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs) Award of Excellence for Outstanding Performance-2010, Silver Award for ICT Sector in the National Business Excellence Awards -2010, National Award given as a salute of COYLE valued member for my achievements, Outstanding Young Entrepreneur of Sri Lanka Award Winner (TOYP 2009), Sri Lanka Entrepreneur of the Year 2008.
His twitter account describes him as; Doctor of Business Administration, Chairman of DPJH, Most awarded Youngest Entrepreneur in Sri Lanka, Leadership Lecturer and Nationalist.
PricewaterhouseCoopers
A fellow member of CIMA (UK), ACCA (UK) and CPA (Australia), Mr. Mudalige has over 30 years of experience as a Chartered Accountant along with vast experience as Audit Committee Chair in both public and private sector organizations.
He is a past President of ICASL and has been a member of the Council of ICASL and of the governing board of CIMA UK- Sri Lanka Division, a Commission member of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka and has held several such other positions locally and globally during the span of his career. He was an independent non-executive director of Hatton National Bank PLC from 2012 to 2019 was a Chair and member of several of its board subcommittees during his tenure with HNB.
Mr Mudalige also serves as an Independent non-executive director of National Development Bank PLC since January 2020.
Sri Lanka Customs
Major General GV Ravipriya WWV RWP ndu IG was enlisted in the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army on 08th August 1985 as an Officer Cadet and underwent training in Sri Lanka Military Academy in Diyathalawa.
Having topped his batch and awarded the ‘Sword of Honour’, the highest honour awarded to an Officer Cadet upon completion of the training, he joined the Regiment of Sri Lanka Artillery after passing out from the Military academy.
Maj.Gen Ravipriya held various appointments and followed local and foreign military courses during his illustrious career spanning over 34 years.
He commanded an offensive Brigade at the inception of the Wanni humanitarian operation and contributed at the final battle, commanding Task Force 8, whose troops discovered the body of the leader of the LTTE. He was awarded with two gallantry awards, Weera Wickrama Vibushanaya and Rana Wickrama Padakkama for his bravery displayed during Wanni humanitarian operation.
After Humanitarian Operations, he was appointed as the Defense Attaché in Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington DC - USA in appreciation of his noble service to his motherland. After returning to Sri Lanka, he held appointments in various directorates, such as Director plans, Media, Personal Administration and Director Training at Army Headquarters. Serving as the Commander of the President’s Guard from 2013 to 2015, at the time of his retirement on the 13th January 2020, he held the appointment of Commander Security Forces Kilinochchi.
Board of Investment of Sri Lanka
The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) is the principal Agency mandated for the promotion and facilitation of FDIs to the country. The BOI is committed towards continuously improving the country's investment climate and is structured to function as a central facilitation point for investors.
Eng. Raja Edirisuriya was appointed as the Chairman of the BOI in December 2021. A business leader of repute, he is accredited with leading and servicing for Sri Lankan government organizations from 2006 to up to date. During this 16 year tenure in Sri Lanka, he had been positioning to administer and operate the Sri Lankan government organizations as the Chairman of the State Engineering Corporation of Sri Lanka, the Chairman of Mihin Airlines, and the Chairman of Urban Settlement Development Authority.
Eng. Edirisuriya had also served as the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Brazil, Peru, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Surinam.
In October 2020, Eng. Edirisuriya was appointed as the Executive Project Management Director of Colombo Port City Development Project and at present, he is serving both organizations simultaneously.
Airport & Aviation of Sri Lanka
Major General G. A. Chandrasiri currently serves as the Chairman of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited. He served in the capacity of Governor of the Northern Province from 2009 to 2015. During his illustrious military career of 35 years he served as the Commander of the Security Forces Headquarters in Jaffna from 2005 to 2009. He was appointed as the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army and executed his national duty as the Competent Authority of the Northern Province for the administration of Internally Displaced People in the Northern Province. He is a graduate of the National Defense College, India, and Defense Services Command & Staff College, Bangladesh.
General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University
Dr. Namali Sirisoma is a graduate from University of Moratuwa in Civil Engineering. She obtained her PhD in Transportation Engineering from the same university in 2006. She worked as a post-doctoral fellow in the University of Calgary, Canada from 2008 - 2009. She had been the Dean - Faculty of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities in General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Ratmalana, and currently holds the position of Director at the Career Guidance Unit. She served as the Vice Chairperson of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Sri Lanka from 2018 – 2021.
The Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport (CILT)
Channaka De Alwis holds a BA in Political Science with a minor in International Studies from Virginia Commonwealth University, USA and an MBA from PIM (Sri.J). He is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), and the current President of CILT Sri Lanka. An industry veteran with over 26 years of experience at various verticals ranging from Shipping, Freight Forwarding, Warehousing, Container Depot and Haulage, he also serves as the current Vice President of The Association of Container Transporters (ACT).
University of Moratuwa
Dr. Amila Thibbotuwawa is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Transport and Logistics Management, University of Moratuwa in Sri Lanka. Dr. Amila received his MSc in Industrial Engineering from École des Mines de Nantes in France and his PhD in Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering from Aalborg University, Denmark. He worked on several industrial and research projects in France, Denmark, Poland, Germany and Sri Lanka. His research interests lie in supply chain and logistics optimization and he is a Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
Sri Lanka Shippers' Council
Mr. Suren Abeysekera is a logistics and supply chain professional with 20 + years' experience managing diverse logistics functions. He currently manages logistics of South Asia region for the world-renowned women's lingerie brand 'Victoria's Secret'. Prior to VS, he gathered extensive experience in freight consolidation, forwarding and NVOCC operations at APLL and EI.
He is the Immediate Past Chairman of Sri Lanka Shippers' Council and a member of the EDB advisory committee on logistics. He is also attached to the CCC national agenda committee on logistics & transportation, an executive member of the logistics sub-committee of JAAF and a policy council member of GSF. He holds a MSc. in Logistics & Supply Chain Management (UK) and is a Chartered member of CILT. He also holds a Diploma in International Trade, Shipping and Logistics (UK).
Customs Department, Sri Lanka
Veteran Public Servant with 34 years of experience at Sri Lanka Customs Department. Joined Customs Department as an Assistant Superintendent of Customs in 1984. Customs Department Service in various capacities as an Assistant Superintendent, Superintendent of Customs, Deputy Director & Director of Customs for a service period of 34 years in Landing Branches such as Long Room, Parcel Post, Export Office, Air Cargo, Valuation, Preventive Office, Baggage Office, Bandaranaike International Airport Passenger Terminal, Gem & Jewellery Branch & Out-Posts of Mannar, Trincomalee & Galle. Retired as the Director of Industries & Services Directorate in 2018.
Recognised for outstanding service in Sri Lanka Customs Bio Diversity Cultural & National Heritage Protection Branch as Superintendent of Customs & Director for the service of more than 4 years.
Worked in many occasions as a Resource Person for Sri Lanka Customs Human Resource Development Division.
Represented Sri Lanka Custom Department in various Governmental & Non-Governmental Agencies like Ministry of Environment, Wildlife Department, Agricultural Department, Forest Department, Archaeological Department, Treasury & Board Of Investments in various Forums, Training Programmes, Work-shops & Conferences both as a Participant & Resource Person.
Represented Sri Lanka Customs Department & the State in many International Forums & Work-shops in Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, India, Nepal, Turkey, Kenya & South Africa as a Participant & Resource Person.
Worked as the Secretary for Director General of Customs Department at the monthly Director of Customs Meeting during my career as a Director of Customs.
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