WiLAT Sri Lanka celebrates 9th anniversary, Intl. Women’s Day

By Tania de Silva 

CMILT Chairperson - WiLAT Sri Lanka Niroza Gazzali

SMILT Vice Chairperson - WiLAT SL Branding and Sponsorship Amra Zareer

Women in Logistics and Transport (WiLAT) recently celebrated its ninth anniversary along with the International Women’s Day portraying many ways in which they could #BreakTheBias to build an inclusive and diverse world.

WiLAT Sri Lanka Chairperson Niroza Gazzali spoke on how the Logistics industry played a pivotal role during the pandemic in helping us to keep the world intact and moving. She further stated via disruption and challenges they found best ways and used technology and innovation to meet the evolving needs of everyone on the planet. 

WiLAT Sri Lanka Chairperson Niroza Gazzali stated: “Logistics and supply chain industry took the spotlight more than ever before. It was an evident that logisticians took the lead in navigation of tough times and helped keep our world move forward disruption transformation and constant innovation made sure we took care of everyone on our planet. We broke the biases and made sure we gave our very best to humankind.”

“Ever since its inception WiLAT Sri Lanka has always believed in real talent because we believe real talent thrives and we all know that we are not here to stay but we are here to make an impactful difference,” said WiLAT Event Chair and Vice Chairperson - Branding and Sponsorship Amra Zareer.

She mentioned the importance of creating an environment for Real Talent to thrive across the industry, society and communities. She further stated that WiLAT has always focused on empowering talent and this year they collectively pledged to #BreakTheBias and create space to nurture, grow and empower talent.

WiLAT Global Chairperson Gayani De Alwis said: “If you look at how CILT has supported WiLAT over the last so many years that WiLAT has actually grown strength to strength now currently if you look at in my current capacity as the global chairperson, we have grown to be 34 chapters globally and we are literally present in all countries all around the world. 

Our main priority is to focus on four strategic trusts, leadership, entrepreneurship empowerment and mentorship. See in all these areas what we want is to make our women capable of contributing to the industry and break these barriers that are around us.” 

WiLAT was launched in June 2013 to promote their industry to female members and to encourage and support their career development. WiLAT now has over 3000 members in 28 countries and they are still in the process of growing. 

It was initiated along with a vision of being the most sought after for advocacy, professionalism and empowerment of women in supply chain, logistics and transport and a mission of promote the status of women in Logistics and Transport, to bring together those who promoting support talent and career development of women and to provide a support network and mentoring opportunities for women in the sector. 

Women in Logistics and Transport (WiLAT) Sri Lanka is the Women’s Forum of The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Sri Lanka. WiLAT Sri Lanka was inaugurated on 21 March 2013. It is one of the five pioneering fora in WiLAT global. 

Our Global Convener, who sits on the CILT International Management Committee is responsible for the growth and development of WiLAT internationally and for coordinating our annual global conference. Regional coordinators promote the interests of women in their region and encourage membership. 

Country groups work with and on behalf of women at local level, organising events, providing local support and networking opportunities, and representing women within the local CILT Council.

At the event WiLAT presented their memory lane and depicted how it provides a forum for women engaged in the industry to network and give opportunities for career advancement to empower them in becoming leading professionals in the industry.

The ceremony included a Puppetry performance by Power of Play which was spell blinding and created a dramatic presence at the middle of the event as a great entertainment item.

WiLAT Sri Lanka commended CILT International President Paul Sainthouse FCILT for sending them his congratulatory message, Power of Play Founder Sulochana Dissanayake for performing an impactful performance highlighting how the world of work should eliminate biases from our society and in our workplaces, the CILT SL President Channaka De Alwis and members of the CILT Council as WiLAT Exco was instrumental in putting up this event together, SAGT (South Asia Gateway Terminals) as they were the main event sponsor and Lanka Marine Services Ltd. which was a co-event partner of their event and all their distinguished invitees, membership, corporate partners for being there with them at the event.

 – Pix by Sameera Wijesinghe –