ISMM recognises services rendered by past leaders

The Institute of Supply & Materials Management (ISMM), which is the leading supply chain management institution in Sri Lanka, recognised the service rendered by its past leaders by unveiling their photographs on 23 September 2011 at the OPA Auditorium.

Current President Danesha Perera addressing the gathering said that ISMM was very pleased to welcome all to pay the heartiest gratitude to the great leaders of ISMM during the past decade and highlighted the importance of having the right leaders for the developments of the institution.

Noting that the leadership given by its past Presidents has taken ISMM to where it is today, the ISMM President said: “We should be proud to be one of the professional institutions that understands the values and recognises the contributions made by our great leaders. As you know, the great leaders are seen beyond doubt and they lead teams with success and glory. They do not work hard but they work smart. They do not get disturbed but instead they get motivated. They lead in front and not from behind. They can say yes as well as no.”

He concluded the speech by wishing all the very best to the three past Presidents in their future endeavours.

V. Ganesh led the team as the President from 2001 to 2004. His citation was read by Nalin Silva – Gen. Secretary:

He was born in Malaysia and educated at Jaffna Central College. After the Advanced Level he joined the Bank of Ceylon. Having been successful at the Intermediate stage of the Institute of Bankers examination, he joined Unilever Ceylon Ltd., then known as Lever Brothers Ceylon Ltd. He served Unilever for 33 years partly as an Asst. Management & Financial Accountant and then as a Buyer and Senior Buyer in the Supply Chain Department ending up as the Chief Buyer and heading the Logistics Department of Unilever. He has been a leader of Unilever Asia Pacific Regional Buying Teams and Member of the Unilever Global Buying Teams.

After an early retirement from Unilever, he served as General Manager of Amico Industries Ceylon Ltd. and subsequently served as CEO of the Nawaloka Group of Companies. After his retirement he has been once again invited to serve as the CEO of the Nawaloka Group from 1 September 2011 consequent to the demise of Deshamanya H.K. Dharmadasa, founder and Chairman of Nawaloka Group. He was awarded corporate member of ISMM in October 1991 and became a Life Member in February 1997. He was made a fellow member of ISMM in July 1997. He represented ISMM on the OPA Executive Council and Forum and was nominated as the Vice President of the OPA in 2007. Since 2009 he has been elected annually as a Vice President and serves in this capacity to date.

He is not all work and no play as he represented his school at the public schools athletics and captained the college hockey and badminton teams. He was also the Scouts troupe leader and a college prefect.

He served in the Mercantile Hockey Association for 26 years serving as Treasurer, Chairman Selection Committee, Senior Vice President and as the Manager of Mercantile Hockey Teams on overseas tours. He also served in the Council of the Sri Lanka Hockey Federation and as a Senior Vice President for three years. He is known to be an effective leader with innovative ideas and implementing the same and was described as a dynamic leader by an OPA Past President.

A.V.M. Duncan Dissanayake VSV led the team as the President of ISMM from 2004 to 2007 and his citation was read by Dhananjaya Dharmaratna – Convener of Seminars & Functions Committee:

He is a graduate of the University of London having obtained the Bachelor of Science (Econ) Degree (Special Subject – Money & Banking). A Graduate of Air Command and Staff College of the Air University, USA. A Fellow of the Institute of Supply and Materials Management. He has qualified in Supply Management in the United States Air Force specialising in the fields of handling of air movements, aviation fuels and oils; qualified in equipment management in the Royal Air Force in the United Kingdom. He is presently employed as the Executive Director SLFFA Cargo Services Limited, directing the management of an Air Cargo Terminal at BIA, Katunayake since 1995. He was previously employed for a period of five years as Executive Director (Operations) at the Airport & Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited (AASL), BIA, Katunayake.

He began his career with the then Royal Ceylon Air Force in 1957 as a Pilot Officer and rose to hold the rank of Air Vice Marshal in the Sri Lanka Air Force. The highest post held was as Director Logistics and thereafter as the Base Commander Sri Lanka Air Force, Katunayake.

He has over 36 years’ experience in aviation related activities in the Sri Lanka Air Force and at Airport & Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited and over 25 years’ experience in logistics management work, in close liaison with a wide cross section of the aircraft industry.

His knowledge in the field of aviation has been recognised by being appointed as a Member of the Governing Board of Airports Council International (ACI) Asia Region with Headquarters in New Delhi and a Member of the World Stranding Committee on ‘Facilitation’ (ACI) with Headquarters in Geneva. In Sri Lanka he has been a Member of the Committee appointed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation for the formulation of a Civil Aviation Development Plan. In 2004 he has also served as a Member of the Task Force appointed by the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation to plan and recommend strategies to set up an air/sea cargo hub in the country.

Chandima Jayathileka led the team as the President of ISMM from 2007 to 2010 and his citation was read by Gayan Perera, Convener of Membership Development Committee:

He is a graduate of University of Colombo, Sri Lanka having obtained Master of Business Studies 2008 (Merit Pass), Postgraduate Diploma in Economic Development 2006 and Executive Diploma in Business Administration 1984. He also followed the Advanced Certificate in Marketing at Chartered Institute of Marketing, Diploma in Marketing Management and Diploma in Purchasing and Materials Management at Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration. He is a Fellow Member of the Institute of Supply & Materials Management, Sri Lanka and Member of Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing.

He is currently employed as a General Manager at Electro Amp (Pvt) Ltd. He was employed as a General Manager (Strategic Planning & Corporate Affairs) at United Motors Lanka PLC, Deputy General Manger, Group of Companies Ceylon Pencil Co. Ltd, Commercial & Personnel Manager at Lankem (Ceylon) Ltd. Materials Manager at Veyangoda Textile Mills Ltd, Purchasing Superintendent at Pelwatte Sugar Co.Ltd. and Manager Engineering Purchasing & Supply Division at Walker Sons & Co. Ltd.

All three past Presidents’ photographs were unveiled by Chief Guest OPA President Uditha Palihakkara on the request of current ISMM President Danesha Perera.

While delivering the vote of thanks, ISMM Gen. Secretary Nalin Silva thanked the President for leading the team in the right direction and complimented the hard work done by the Seminars & Functions Committee of ISMM for organising the long-due event. Staff of ISMM was complemented by the Gen. Secretary and President, indicating that they stand behind the Council of Management like pillars to ensure that everything is done to the highest standards.