Debbie Jones appointed as WISTA Sri Lanka President

From left: WISTA Asst. Treasurer Kanchana Bopitiya, Treasurer Shiyamalee Karunanayake, President Debbie Jones, Vice President Diruni Chanmugam, Secretary Randima Krishnaratne and Asst. Secretary Kalani Dassanayake

Guest of Honour McLarens Group of Companies Chairman Rohan De Silva

WISTA SL President Debbie Jones

WISTA SL Immediate Past President Nilu Mediwake Wickramasinghe

The Sri Lankan branch of the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA Sri Lanka) celebrated seven years of presence in Sri Lanka. To commemorate this significant milestone, WISTA held their AGM on 29 October at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, followed by cocktails. 

This event was graced by Rohan De Silva who celebrated 50 years of yeoman service and inspiring leadership to the Shipping and Logistics Industry in Sri Lanka. This truly was a momentous occasion for WISTA as Rohan De Silva became the recipient of WISTA personality of the year 2021, recognising his great contributions as he has supported WISTA Sri Lanka throughout its journey being a WISTA Sri Lanka Ambassador. 

De Silva shared his remarkable journey with life-long experiences, challenges he successfully overcame, sharing gratitude to the people that touched his life and assisted him in his success. 

GAC Shipping Ltd. Correspondent Manager – P and I Division Debbie Jones was elected as the President of WISTA Sri Lanka during the event. Debbie brings in a wealth of knowledge and experience in the Shipping Industry to lead and achieve the objectives of WISTA Sri Lanka. 

Shermans Logistics Director/CEO Diruni Chanmugam was elected as the Vice President, A.P. Moller Maersk Country Sales Manager Randima Krishnaratne as Secretary, South Asia Gateway Terminals Executive Commercial and Marketing Kalani Dassanayake as Deputy Secretary, Hayleys Advantis General Manager Shared Services Shiyamalee Karunanayake as Treasurer, and Hapag Lloyd Lanka Assistant Manager Customer Service Coordination Kanchana Bopitiya was elected as the Assistant Treasurer.

The newly elected Executive Committee for the year 2021/22 consists of SALOTA International Director Nilu Mediwake Wickremasinghe, WorldLink Shipping Colombo Director Swabha Wickramasinghe, McLarens Group Management Consultant Shipping and HR Services Anoma V. Ranasinghe, A.P. Moller Maersk Head of Customer Experience Sujani Kumarasinghe, Mountain Hawk Express Licensee of FedEx Director/CEO Chamila Bandara, Regency Teas General Manager Operations Amali Mudunkotuwa, McLarens Lubricants Assistant General Manager Marine Shalinie de Silva, GAC Marine Services Assistant Manager Operations Felicita Alwis, Prudential Shipping Lines General Manager NVOCC Surangi Gunasekera, Hambantota International Port Group Senior Manager PR and Communication Chandula Rambukwella, Mac Supply Chain Solutions Manager Key Accounts Management Sharmala Fernando, McLarens Group Management Group Director Legal Dharshanie Illukpitiya, CMA CGM Lanka Senior Sales and Marketing Executive Kajini Ediriweera, Wilhelmsen Meridian Navigation Director Operations Maleena Awn, Sri Lanka Ports Authority Deputy Chief Finance Manager Himalika Perera, and Hellman Worldwide Logistics Senior Executive Customer Solutions and Business Development Ruwini Perera. 

The Executive Committee will work towards implementing many initiatives in accordance with the WISTA Sri Lanka mandate on improving gender parity and women empowerment in the industry.

Addressing the gathering, newly-elected President Debbie Jones expressed her confidence in leading WISTA Sri Lanka to be a strong force in the industry during a very challenging period. She also stressed on the importance of empowering women and encouraging more of them to join the workforce as currently women representation in Shipping and Logistics Industry in Sri Lanka remains at a mere 3%. She also spoke about how the dynamics have changed where the new normalcy is more flexible work patterns and hybrid work environments. 

Hayleys Advantis Ltd. was the Official Logistics Partner for the event and South Asia Gateway Terminals continue to power WISTA Sri Lanka as the Corporate Partner and will extend their support for yet another successful year of activities that promote and strengthen gender diversity and women empowerment in the industry.

Pix by Ruwan Walpola

WISTA Sri Lanka Personality Award 2021 presented by WISTA SL President Debbie Jones to Guest of Honour McLarens Group of Companies Chairman Rohan De Silva – in recognition of 50 years of services in the maritime industry

WISTA Sri Lanka Executive Committee 2021-2022