Diruni Chanmugam re-elected as WISTA Sri Lanka President

Pix by Ruwan Walpola

WISTA Personality of the year 2023 awarded by South Asia Gateway Terminals CEO Romesh David 

WISTA President Diruni Chanmugam

The Sri Lankan branch of the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA Sri Lanka) held its 9th AGM on 30 January at the Courtyard by Marriot followed by Cocktails, amidst a large gathering of members. 

The event was graced by the presence of South Asia Gateway Terminals CEO Romesh David as Chief Guest and WISTA members. 

Shermans Logistics Directro/ CEO Diruni Chanmugam was elected as WISTA Sri Lanka President at the event. Diruni brings in a wealth of knowledge and experience in the Shipping and Freight Forwarding Industries to lead and achieve the objectives of WISTA Sri Lanka for the 2nd consecutive year. Hayleys Advantis Member of the General Management Committee and Advantis Express and IML Delivery Systems Director, Chamila Bandara was re-elected as Vice President.

Regency Teas General Manager Operations Amali Mudunkotuwa Mendis was elected as Secretary, Sri Lanka Ports Authority Chief Law Officer Aparna Tilakaratne was elected as Assistant Secretary, Hayleys Advantis Shared Services General Manager Shiyamalee Karunanayake was elected as Treasurer and Hellmann Worldwide Logistics Customer Service Assistant Manager Ruwini Perera  was elected as Assistant Treasurer.

The newly elected Executive Committee for the year 2023/24 consists of SALOTA Director International Nilu Mediwake Wickremasinghe, GAC Shipping P & I Division General Manager Debbie Jones,  McLarens Group Management Consultant Shipping and HR Services Anoma.V Ranasinghe, South Asia Gateway Terminals Commercial & Marketing Assistant Manager Kalani Dassanayake, MAC Supply Chain Solutions Key Accounts Management Manager Sharmala Fernando, Prudential Shipping Lines NVOCC General Manager Surangi Gunasekera, Shipping and Cargo Logistics Assistant General Manager Marketing Enoka Wickremasinghe, SALOTA International Deputy General Manager Business Development Madhu Welikala, Hayleys Energy Services Deputy General Manager Aruni Wijepala, South Asia Gateway Terminals Senior Manager Commercial and Marketing Udara Cumaratunga, Ceyline Holdings Assistant Manager  Corporate & Customer Relations Dilky Bartholomeusz,   Penguine Shipping Director Deepika Wijesuriya, Centrum Marine Consultancy  Principal Consultant Corporate Relations Patali Karunarathne,  Mercmarine Group of Companies Senior Marine Personnel Officer Niroshini D A D Y,  Spectra Logistics Senior Manager Business Development Niroshini De Silva,  Express Lanka Asst. Manager Equipment Control of  Maintenance and Repair of Ocean Network Ishani Caldera.

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 the re-elected President Diruni Chanmugam expressed her confidence in leading WISTA Sri Lanka for the second consecutive year to be a strong force in the industry and outlined priorities that she intends to focus on during the year. Diruni spoke about the successful projects and new initiatives undertaken by WISTA Sri Lanka under her leadership during the year that ended, empowering and giving support to WISTA members enabling them to grow in the Shipping and Maritime Industry. She said the Maritime and Logistics Sector need to embrace innovation, digitisation, better cross border mobility, creating neutral platforms to collaborate and share experiences in addressing some of the challenges faced in the industry. Diruni invited all members to join the committees and collaborate, working together in projects to promote diversity and inclusion in the maritime and logistics sector.

Annually WISTA recognises personalities that have significantly supported the industry by honouring their contributions. This year’s WISTA Personality of the Year was awarded to South Asia Gateway Terminals CEO Romesh David. This recognition was bestowed on Romesh for his immense contribution and initiatives to promote gender parity, empowering women in the Shipping and Maritime sector over the years. 

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. SAGT will continue to partner and support WISTA for yet another year. WISTA Team is optimistic of another great year ahead of promoting and strengthening gender diversity and women empowerment in the Shipping and Logistics industry in Sri Lanka.