The eighth AGM of the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association of Sri Lanka (WISTA Sri Lanka) was held at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel recently.
US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie J. Chung was the chief guest.
Ambassador Chung outlined her experiences in breaking glass ceilings and overcoming gender disparities inspiring the gathering of WISTA members.
She said globally women representation in shipping and logistics is a mere 2 percent and urged females in the country, who are more than half of the population, to join forces in re-building the economy, advance good governance and further market reforms, and be a positive force in the labour market.
Ms. Diruni Chanmugam was elected as the President, Chamila Bandara as the Vice President, Kalani Dassanayake - Secretary, Sharmala Fernando - Assistant Secretary, Shiyamalee Karunanayake - Treasurer and Ruwini Perera as the Assistant Treasurer.
The newly elected Executive Committee for 2022/23:
Nilu Mediwake Wickremasinghe (SALOTA International), Swabha Wickramasinghe (World Link Shipping), Anoma V. Ranasinghe (McLarens Shipping), Debbie Jones (GAC Shipping), Amali Mudunkotuwa (Regency Teas), Surangi Gunasekera Prudential Shipping Lines), Enoka Wickremasinghe (Shipping and Cargo Logistics), Anuka Pathirana (GAC Shipping), Therani Kalyanapriye (Maersk Lanka), Udara Cumaratunga (South Asia Gateway Terminals), Madhu Welikala (SALOTA International), Aparna Thilakaratne (SLPA), Aruni Wijepala (Hayley’s Energy Services), Anjalika Perera (GAC Shipping), Dilky Bartholomeusz (GFS Lanka) and Deepika Wijesuriya (Penguin Shipping). Newly elected President Diruni Chanmugam said that there is a trend where more women are taking up career development initiatives focusing on higher studies in the industry which is a welcome change and it is her wish to encourage more women to be equipped with leadership skills to prepare them for future leadership positions.
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, she said.
The highlight of the event was WISTA Personality of the Year which was awarded to founder and Chairperson of Women in Management (WIM) Dr. Sulochana Segera.
Founder President of WISTA, Shehara De Silva also spoke.