Diruni Chanmugam appointed as WISTA Sri Lanka President

The Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA Sri Lanka) eighth AGM was held recently at Cinnamon Grand, followed by cocktails. 

This event was graced by US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie J. Chung, distinguished invitees and WISTA members. 

Addressing the gathering, Chung shared her experiences in breaking glass ceilings and overcoming gender disparities inspiring the gathering of the WISTA members. She also stated that globally women representation in shipping and logistics is a mere 2 percent and urged the females in the country, who are more than just over half of the population, to join forces in rebuilding the economy, advance good governance and further market reforms and be a positive force in the labour market. She took time off her busy schedule to meet the WISTA members over networking and cocktails.

Shermans Logistics Director/CEO Diruni Chanmugam was elected as President of WISTA Sri Lanka during the event. Chanmugam brings in a wealth of knowledge and experience in the shipping and freight forwarding industries to lead and achieve the objectives of WISTA Sri Lanka. Chamila Bandara – Director of Advantis Express, IML Delivery Systems and Member of the General Management Committee of Hayley’s Advantis, was elected as Vice President. Kalani Dassanayake – Assistant Manager Commercial and Marketing of South Asia Gateway Terminals was elected as Secretary, Sharmala Fernando – Manager Key Account Management of Mac Supply Chain, was elected as Assistant Secretary, Shiyamalee Karunanayake – General Manager Shared Services of Hayley’s Advantis was elected as Treasurer, Ruwini Perera – Assistant Manager Customer Solutions and Business Development Support of Hellman Worldwide Logistics, was elected as Assistant Treasurer.

The newly-elected Executive Committee for the year 2022/23 consists of Nilu Mediwake Wickremasinghe – Director of SALOTA International, Swabha Wickramasinghe – Director Marketing of World Link Shipping, Anoma. V. Ranasinghe – Consultant Shipping and HR Services of McLarens Shipping, Debbie Jones – Assistant General Manager P&I Division of  GAC Shipping, Amali Mudunkotuwa – General Manager Operations of Regency Teas, Surangi Gunasekera – General Manager NVOCC of Prudential Shipping Lines, Enoka Wickremasinghe – Assistant General Manager Marketing of Shipping and Cargo Logistics, Anuka Pathirana – Assistant General Manager HR of GAC Shipping, Therani Kalyanapriye – LCL Execution Lead of  Maersk Lanka, Udara Cumaratunga – Senior Manager Commercial and Marketing of South Asia Gateway Terminals, Madhu Welikala – Assistant General Manager Business Development of SALOTA International, Aparna Thilakaratne – Chief Law Officer of  Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Aruni Wijepala – Deputy General Manager  of Hayley’s Energy Services, Anjalika Perera – Manager Commercial of GAC Shipping, Dilky Bartholomeusz – Assistant Manager  Customer Service of GFS Lanka and Deepika Wijesuriya – Director of Penguin Shipping.