CILT international convention concludes on high note | Sunday Observer

CILT international convention concludes on high note

16 July, 2017
 The CILT SL team with the WiLAT dance performers who won the  ‘Bbest originality and creativity’ award
The CILT SL team with the WiLAT dance performers who won the ‘Bbest originality and creativity’ award

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) held its International Convention at the Sheraton Grand Hotel, Cotai Central in Macao from recently.

The theme was ‘Smart Journey - Belt and Road’.

The Convention focused on two of the most important developments currently making an impact on the Logistics and Transport industry; the rise of Smart Technology and the ambitious One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative.

CILT conducts its annual Convention in a member country in rotation every year.Sri Lanka hosted the Convention in June 2013 after it became a territory.

There was an interesting mix of items in the four-day program including Guest International Speakers, Workshops and Interactive Breakout Sessions.

Women in Logistics and Transport (WiLAT) Forum and Young Professionals’ Forum (YPF) conventions started off in parallel sessions on the 11th ahead of the CILT International Convention.

Over 250 foreign delegates from 29 member countries were present at the event. The delegates interacted with International participants representing corporates, academia and government sector and the military and get actively involved in shaping the future of CILT and its industry.

This year’s 11-member CILT SL delegation was the highest Sri Lanka ever attended a Convention including WiLAT and YPF members and was represented by CILT SL Chairman Capt. Lasitha Cumaratunga, International Vice President, Romesh David, Vice Chairperson, Gayani de Alwis Immediate Past Chairman, Niral Kadawatharatchi, Vice Chairperson, WiLAT SL, Niroza Gazzali, Secretary WiLAT, Amra Zareer, Treasurer, WiLAT, Gayathri Karunanayake, Chairman, YPF SL, Biman Hettiarachchi, Member Rishantha Mendis, WiLAT ExCo Co-opted Member Manjari Nigamuni, WiLAT ExCo Co-opted Member, Shakkya Perera.

CILT also awarded a travel scholarship to a young undergraduate mentee from WiLAT to attend the Convention.

There were many speakers of International repute at the Convention. Prof. De-Rong Wang, Executive Vice-Chairman, CCTA, Prof. Taewoo Paul Lee, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia, Morris Cheung, President, MTR Academy, Hong Kong, Prof. Kai Hoberg, Kühne Logistics University and Karmjit Singh, Chairman of CILT Singapore were some of the speakers at this year’s Global Convention.

Vice Chairperson CILT Sri Lanka Gayani de Alwis was also an invited speaker and she spoke about Sri Lanka’s perspective on Belt and Road initiative.

De Alwis said that Sri Lanka is right at the center of the Global east west maritime route with 50% of global containerized traffic moving pass Hambantota.

Being strategically located at the tip of South Asia, Sri Lanka was in the past a natural port of call for silk route navigators.

She mentioned that the belt and road initiative will enable Sri Lanka to get connected to International value chains and provide the much needed connectivity required for rapid economic growth in the country.

Outgoing International Past President of CILT, Paul Brooks was awarded the Pegasus medal for his services and CILT Kazakhstan was awarded territorial status at the Convention.

This year the CILT convention also had a new segment where an opportunity was given to CILT chapters to show case their best practices at an Idea Exchange. Sri Lanka team showcased WiLAT SL’s globally renowned ‘Ignite’ mentoring program and this initiative won the best entry of the poster competition.

Sri Lankan team also took part in the ‘We Got Talent’ organized by WiLAT Hong Kong for the participants to showcase their talents.

Sri Lankan team performed a traditional dance act under the theme ‘Pooja-a Fusion of Blue Rays’ which depicted a blend of cultural dance and music and won the award for the ‘Best Originality and Creativity’. The delegates also had the opportunity to take part in a technical visit to Hong Kong which included a visit to Hong Kong Airlines, Kwai Chung Modern Terminals, MTC OCC at Tsing Yi and a Tram Ride.

One of the world’s most famous free ports, Macao is a fascinating blend of industries and cultures, a jewel on the south coast of China, across the Pearl River Delta from Hong Kong. 

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