Sanjam Gupta helps Launch WISTA in Sri Lanka

 

Within two years of the launch in India in 2012, the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (better known as WISTA), Ms. Sanjam  Sahi  Gupta, its Founder President, has moved fast to spread WISTA to the Indian sub continent. Her first significant effort in this direction has been the launch of WISTA in the neighboring country, Sri Lanka on 3rd July, 2014.

To commemorate the occasion WISTA hosted a gala program at the  Hilton  Residencies  Colombo  amidst a  large  and  distinguished  gathering  that included  the  Chairman  of  the  Sri  Lanka  Ports  Authority,  Chairmen  &  Chairpersons  of  leading  Public  and  Private  Sector  Organizations and Institutes.

Special Guests gracing  the occasion  were  Founder  Member  and  President  of WISTA  India,  Ms. Sanjam  Sahi  Gupta  and  Founder  Member  and  Joint  Secretary  of  WISTA  India,  Ms. Sumi  Sahi.

They presented a plaque to Ms. Shehara Jayawardana, the President WISTA Sri Lanka on this occasion and was felicitated as well.

WISTA Sri Lanka will function under the Presidency of Ms. Shehara Jayawardana, and consists of a 20 member committee which, to date,  has been successful  in  attracting 49 eminent ladies from shipping and shipping related industries to join as members.

The event commenced with a speech by President Ms.Shehara Jayawardana,who spoke about her plans for WISTA in Sri Lanka. It was followed by a speech by WISTA India President Sanjam who praised Shehara for the good work and spoke on the importance of encouraging young talent to join the industry and having a platform for the ladies in the maritime trade.

In  her  key  note  address,  Mrs. Indrani  Sugathadasa,  Chairperson  of  the  Insurance  Board  of  Sri  Lanka,  commended  the  women  of  Sri  Lanka  who  have  already  ventured  into  employment  in  all  spheres,  and  emphasized  that  women  should  take  a  more  active  role  in  the  future  as  well.  

A  very  informative  and  thought  provoking  panel  discussion  was  held  on  the  topic  of  “How to sustain and reach shipping excellence by promoting and strengthening social, economic and gender balance” with  the  participation  of  four  eminent  personalities  in  the  Shipping  Industry.

The Panel comprised Mrs. Manouri  de  Silva, the  first female  Fellow  of  the  ICS  Branch in Sri Lanka  and  first  female  General Manager  of  the  Ceylon  Shipping  Corporation; Dr. Parakrama  Dissanayake, Chairman/CEO of Aitken Spence Maritime Logistics  & Cargo and  Director - Aitken Spence PLC, and  a  former Chairman/CEO of Sri Lanka Ports Authority;   Capt. Nihal Keppetipola, Managing Director of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and Director of Jaya Container Terminals Ltd., [JCT Ltd.,] South Asia Gateway Terminals [SAGT], Colombo International Container Terminals Ltd., [CICT]  and Magampura Port Management Company (Private) Ltd., and Past President of  Nautical Institute of UK (Sri Lanka Branch) and Member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport and Mrs. Sanjam Sahi Gupta, Founder Member & President  of  WISTA  India.

The  highlight  of  the  evening  was  the  felicitation  of  women  who  have  played  a  vital  role in developing the woman’s role in the Sri Lankan Shipping Industry which is known to be predominantly male. 

Three eminent females in the fields of Entrepreneurship, Public Sector Service and Training & Development were felicitated.

The  Felicitation  Award  for  Entrepreneurship  was  given  to  Mrs. Norma  Nanayakkara,  an  astute  entrepreneur  and  well  respected  in  the  shipping  field.
The  Award  for  Public  Sector  Service  was  given  to  Mrs. Sriyani  Wanniarachchi,  Director – Finance  of  the  Sri  Lanka  Ports  Authority.  She  is  a  Graduate,  Associate  Member  and  Fellow  Member  of  ICASL.
The Award for Training & Development was made to Mrs. Anoma Ranasinghe, a Fellow of the  Institute of  Chartered  Shipbrokers  (UK),  Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (UK) & a member of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries & Administrators (UK). She is  also  a  visiting Lecturer at the University of Colombo and  represents many professional bodies in Sri Lanka.

Showing his support for WISTA , Capt. Nihal Keppetipola MD of Sri Lankan Ports Authority invited Sanjam and Sumi for a personal tour to Colombo port where he elaborated on Sri Lanka’s Maritime Agenda 2030. He emphasized that a Joint Approach should be Worked Out Between SL and India to Efficiently Connect Cargo to Their Destinations Where the Regional Ports will get an Effective Capital Circulation. He mentioned the  Benefits of Connecting Indian Cargo Via Sri Lanka.