SLPA Chairman elected 3rd Vice President of IAPH Asia/Oceania Region

Chairman of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Dr. Priyath B Wickrama has been unanimously elected the third Vice President of the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH) for the period 2013 to 2015.

Dr. Wickrama was officially inducted into this position at the IAPH World Conference held in Los Angeles, USA recently. Dr. Wickrama becomes the first Sri Lankan to be elected to an IAPH presidency position.



 He is also the youngest person to take over this position in IAPH.

With its motto ‘World Peace Through World Trade – World Trade Through World Ports’ being clearly stated in its Constitution, IAPH is committed to ‘promoting peace in the world and the welfare of mankind’ as its ultimate goal. IAPH is often referred to as the ‘United Ports of the World’ in which active players in the global port community such as port CEOs, directors and managers are represented to promote and advance their common cause and interests.

IAPH strives to promote the development of the international port and maritime industry by fostering cooperation among members in order to build a more cohesive partnership among the world’s ports and harbours, thereby promoting peace in the world and the welfare of mankind; to ensure that the industry’s interests and views are represented before international organisations involved in the regulation of international trade and transportation and that they are incorporated in the regulatory initiatives of these organisations; and to collect, analyse, exchange and distribute information on developing trends in international trade, transportation, ports and the regulation of these industries.     

Dr. Wickrama after being inducted into the position commented: “Having been involved in the activities of the IAPH as an active member since 2005, there is no doubt that through my long years of experience and hard work, I could make an exceptional personal contribution to revamp and reinvigorate the development of the maritime industry in the Asian/Oceania region. The successful hosting of the 12th IAPH Asian/Oceania Regional Meeting/Port Forum by the Port of Colombo, under the aegis of  Sri Lanka Ports Authority in March 2012, made an indelible impression on me over the raison d’être  of the IAPH and its course. That first-ever IAPH event held in Sri Lanka offered an excellent platform for nearly 50 IAPH members from 18 countries to assemble and exchange latest news and views of various issues.”

“I would assure to serve the member ports with the IAPH hierarchy with dedication and commitment to counter challenges and threats which may crop up in the future course of the maritime industry in the changing global economy. I look forward to undertaking any responsibility reposed upon me by the President of the IAPH, whether it is pertaining to the port planning and development, safety, trade, human resources, sea piracy and matters arising out of changing circumstances, using my knowledge, skills and experience. I also intend to make available my expertise in the interests and issues of the technical committees of the IAPH, charged with the responsibility of studying implications and formulating policies in key areas of importance identified as of now,” Dr. Wickrama further said.

Dr. Wickrama is a man of humble beginnings. Born in a rural village in Matara, he had his preliminary education at Embilipitiya Central College and entered the University of Moratuwa to follow a degree course in engineering after getting through his A/Ls at the first attempt. Within a very short time he became a student leader and was appointed as the Vice President of the University Student Council. He developed his management and administrative skills at the university by giving leadership to a number of student activities in order to secure the rights and welfare of his fellow students.

Dr. Wickrama joined the SLPA as a Mechanical Engineer in 2001 and he was subsequently promoted to the post of Executive Director in 2004. He has made history by being the first permanent-employee-turned-chairman in SLPA. Dr. Wickrama obtained his doctoral degree in Operations Management from the International University of America in the United Kingdom.

Immediately after assuming duties as the Chairman of the SLPA, Dr. Wickrama challenged the status quo and positively brought about a paradigm shift in the organisational procedures, business processes, ways customers are served and even the mindsets of employees and was able to establish accountability, transparency and good governance throughout the organisation.

Many a shipping veteran opine that under Dr. Wickrama’s leadership, the SLPA is sure to strive hard to act in furtherance of its role in national development and it is pleasing to note at this juncture that the SLPA, when it is currently passing its fourth decade, has endowed the nation of Sri Lanka with several epoch-making development projects.

Dr. Wickrama looks forward to working with unswerving enthusiasm with the office bearers of the IAPH and the current members to enhance the role of the membership, accomplishing best practices for the entire membership to work together as members of one family.