WISTA Sri Lanka organizes port tour for staff and children

WISTA Sri Lanka beckoned the new year by organizing a guided Port tour for its members and their children.  
The aim of the port tour was to educate the future generation about port operations and to create awareness about the capabilities of the Port of Colombo (POC). 
On 28th January morning, the WISTA double decker bus picked up the children and their mothers from Gate 01 and proceeded to the newly constructed break water, this was the first part of the Port tour; Catriona Jayasundera  – Assistant General Manager Commercial and Marketing  of Colombo International Container Terminals outlined to the children the significance of the break water and its purpose. Thereafter the children were introduced to tug boats, dredgers, container vessels and cruise ships. 
The second session of the port visit consisted, a drive through the container yard, with an introduction to types of containers and a picturesque moment near MSC vessel. The informative video session and the quiz refreshed and enhanced the children’s knowledge further.
Speaking at the event President WISTA Sri Lanka Shehara Jayawardena said, “I am proud that WISTA Sri Lanka invested in the future generation today. This is the first step of creating diversity in the shipping and logistics industry, which is still amale dominated industry.” She observed, “I firmly believe that experiential learning is the most effective method to teach and inspire children. Forming lasting memories keep children engaged and is the channel to route talent to the industry In a challenging maritime landscape the Port of Colombo has yet again shown growth. This year POC grew by 10.6 percent and is poised to be among the highest ranking ports in terms of growth, this is indeed remarkable.”
A member observed “The excitement of the children is overwhelming, and the smiles on the mothers’ faces are indeed a testament to a very well organized port visit. I am indeed happy to be part of the WISTA Sri Lanka.”
The inspired children walked away with a corporate gift bag with the compliments of SAGT; but most of all with a greater knowledge of Sri Lanka’s valuable resource, its Ports and its significance to the global maritime industry. 
WISTA Sri Lanka expresses its gratitude to the Port of Colombo, for the contribution from all three terminals Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT) and Colombo International Container Terminal (CICT) , the main sponsor of the Port tour.