Ship Suppliers Association holds 36th AGM

The 36th Annual General Meeting of Sri Lanka Ship Suppliers Association was held  at Saloon Anthurium at Galadari Hotel in Colombo  on 18 November 2011, presided by Chairman A. Samson C. De Silva.

De Silva, the former Chairman, was re-elected as Chairman unanimously for the second term of the office together with A. Kadir Ishak as Vice Chairman, J.M. Faiz as Secretary and Eric Cooray as the Treasurer for 2011-2012.

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n behalf of Past Chairmen of the Association, Haniffa Ishak highlighted the need of further recognition of the association not only in maritime sector but also in the entire nation while briefing the history expressing gratitude to previous boards for bringing the association to the present position representing not less than 64 entities in the industry during his delivery.

Chairman De Silva emphasised the importance of the unity among members, which would no doubt definitely help to enhance not only the ship chandelling industry, but also many more towards the benefit of the country’s economy as a whole.

The Chief Guest at the occasion Capt. Ravindra Jayawickrema, the Harbour Master, Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), elaborated on the vast development in ports in Sri Lanka, thereby opening more and more opportunities for the ship chandelling industry by way of attracting ever-increasing port calls by foreign ships, which requires not only provisions but also delivery of ships, spares and so on in good quality as well as timely manner to encourage ship owners to obtain such services in ports in Sri Lanka, thereby increasing earning of foreign exchange towards the national economy.

SLPA Managing Director Capt. Nihal Keppetipola in his speech highlighted the importance of anti-competitiveness among members while adopting systems to meet developing technology in the world as well as to provide standard quality products in good packing to attract masters of the ship to attract more and more business coincide with rapid developments of all ports in Sri Lanka in time to come in the near future.

He also made a note of container cargo throughput in Colombo Port at present compared to India. “We expect to reach our targets in the near future parallel to vast development projects are in progress there now,” he added. The meeting was adjourned just after delivering vote of thanks by the Secretary J.M. Faiz, followed by cocktails and dinner.