Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association launched in Sri Lanka

Monday, 21 July 2014 00:04 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (better known as WISTA), was launched in Sri Lanka recently at the Hilton Residencies Colombo amidst a large and distinguished gathering including the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, chairmen and chairpersons of leading public and private sector organisations and institutes. WISTA Sri Lanka will function under the Presidency of Shehara Jayawardana, and consists of a 20 member committee which, to date, has been successful in attracting 49 eminent females from shipping and shipping related industries to join its membership. Gracing the occasion was WISTA India Founder Member and President Sanjam Sahi Gupta and WISTA India Founder Member and Joint Secretary Sumi Sahi.

In her key note address, Insurance Board of Sri Lanka Chairperson Indrani Sugathadasa commended the women of Sri Lanka who have already ventured into employment in all spheres, and emphasised that women should take a more active role in the future as well. Her advice to the younger generation was, to be focused, dedicated and committed to whatever task they were assigned with, quoting several instances from her own career as a civil servant which spanned over 35 years. A very informative and thought provoking panel discussion was held on the topic, ‘How to sustain and reach shipping excellence by promoting and strengthening social, economic and gender balance’ with the participation of four eminent personalities in the shipping industry. The panel comprised Manouri de Silva, the first female Fellow of the ICS Branch in Sri Lanka and first female General Manager of the Ceylon Shipping Corporation; Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake, Chairman/CEO of Aitken Spence Maritime Logistics & Cargo and Director - Aitken Spence PLC, and a former Chairman/CEO of Sri Lanka Ports Authority; Capt. Nihal Keppetipola, Managing Director of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and Director of Jaya Container Terminals Ltd., (JCT Ltd), South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT), Colombo International Container Terminals Ltd., (CICT) and Magampura Port Management Company Ltd., and Past President of Nautical Institute of UK (Sri Lanka Branch) and Member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport and Sanjam Sahi Gupta, Founder Member & President of WISTA India. The highlight of the evening was the felicitation of women who have played a vital role in developing the woman’s role in the Sri Lankan Shipping Industry which is known to be predominantly male. These eminent women have contributed to the shipping industry in different ways; through their sheer commitment, passion, integrity and dedication to work. Three eminent females in the fields of Entrepreneurship, Public Sector Service and Training & Development were felicitated. The Felicitation Award for Entrepreneurship was given to Norma Nanayakkara, an astute entrepreneur and well respected in the shipping field. The Award for Public Sector Service was given to Sriyani Wanniarachchi, Director – Finance of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. She is a Graduate, Associate Member and Fellow Member of ICASL. The Award for Training & Development was made to Anoma Ranasinghe, a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (UK), Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (UK) & a member of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries & Administrators (UK). She is also a visiting lecturer at the University of Colombo and represents many professional bodies in Sri Lanka.