Premachandra appointed as SLPA MD

S. Premachandra has been appointed as the Managing Director of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA). The official appointment was handed over to Premachandra by Minister of Ports and Shipping Arjuna Ranatunga at a special meeting that took place at the SLPA on 3 December.

Prior to this appointment, Premachandra was serving as the Regional Manager of Asian Terminals of CMA CGM, the world’s third-biggest shipping line.

Addressing the meeting, Ranatunga stated that Premachandra’s appointment would add much value to port operations in Colombo. He further stated: “Premachandra sacrificed a very lucrative career to come back to Sri Lanka to give his expertise to his motherland. He is one of the most eligible persons to be the Managing Director of the SLPA.

There will be no political interference in day to day handling of the Ports Authority activities and with this new appointment, I am is certain that efficiency of the port operations will be further improved.”

An award being presented by Minister of Ports and Shipping Arjuna Ranathunga to SLPA MD Sarathkumara Premachandra at a recent award ceremony

SLPA Chairman Dammika Ranatunga addressing the meeting stated that the new Managing Director would receive the fullest cooperation from the directors and the management of the SLPA in implementing the strategic objectives of SLPA. He also highlighted the increased efficiency levels during the last one month’s operations at the port.

The Chairman reiterated: “We have identified human capital as the best strength that SLPA has and I’m confident that with such a strong pool of resources at our disposal, we could deviate from traditional and lethargic practices to begin a new journey with hope, courage and confidence to develop SLPA as one of the best ports in the world. I warmly welcome the new Managing Director to the Ports Authority.”

Premachandra addressing the meeting stated that he would do his best to honour the trust the Minister, Chairman and the Board of Directors had placed in him. He stated that with such a pool of talented people, he could predict that the future of SLPA was in safe hands. He added: “We can make SLPA a successful and competitive public institution that feeds the national economy of the country in a real big way.”

Premachandra at one time was SLPA’s Chief Operations Manager, Director (Operations) and the Additional Managing Director, having begun his career in 1978 as a management trainee. He has wide experience in container terminal operations, having held senior management positions at the Port of Fujairah and Westport of Malaysia, in addition to SLPA terminals. He joined CMA CGM group in 2002. France’s CMA CGM, based in Marseille, has the world’s third biggest container fleet, behind Maersk Line and Mediterranean Shipping Company. It also operates terminals worldwide through its Terminal Link and CMA Terminals units.

Minister of Port and Shipping Arjuna Ranatunga, Ministry of Port and Shipping Secretary L.P. Jayampathy, Additional Secretary (Development) Kanthi Perera, SLPA Chairman Dammika Ranatunga, SLPA Vice Chairman Dr. W. Lalith Prasanna Perera, SLPA Executive Director Sanjeewa Wijeratne, the Board of Directors of SLPA and all heads of divisions were present at this special meeting.