A group of professionals in the logistics and transport industry recently got together to form a forum of Women in Logistics and Transport (WiLAT SL) under the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport of Sri Lanka (CILT).

The launch held in Colombo was well-attended by a large group of professional women, aspiring executives and the undergraduates of Transport and Logistics Department of the University of Moratuwa and CINEC Maritime Campus. Romesh David, Chairman of CILT SL was the chief guest and the Guest of Honour on the occasion was Ms Mandri Sahabandu, CILT SL’s first ever female Chairperson.

The keynote speech was given by Ms Marise Dekker, Chairman/CEO Astron Ltd who shared her professional experiences on how she managed to give leadership to a pharmaceutical giant since she took over the management in 1994.

Members of the forum, Marise Dekker, Romesh Ranasinghe, Head HR, NDO Lanka & NDO India – JV with JKH, Namali Siyambalapitiya, Vice Chairperson CILT, Deputy Director RDA, Capt Menaka Fernando, Visiting lecturer, University of Moratuwa and Gayani de Alwis, Vice Chairperson CILT, Director Customer Service, Unilever Sri Lanka shared their professional experiences at a panel discussion.

The Women in Logistics and Transport Forum is in the process of developing a database of women in logistics and transport in Sri Lanka at present, irrespective of where they work – the private sector or the public sector or the academic field.