WILAT Sri Lanka’s mentoring program receives global recognition at CILT International Convention in

WiLAT SL delegation with CILT International President Kevin Byrne and CILT SL Chairman

The International Convention of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) for the year 2017 was held at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Macao from 11 to 14 June. This year’s international convention was organised under the theme of ‘Smart Journey, Belt and Road’. The convention focused on two of the most important developments currently making an impact on the Logistics and Transport industry; the rise of Smart Technology and the ambitious One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative. CILT conducts its annual convention in a member country in rotation every year. Sri Lanka hosted the convention in June 2013 after it became a territory.

More than 250 delegates from 29 countries, out of the 34 countries that CILT is present participated in the convention this year. There was a very interesting mix of items in the four day program including guest international speakers, workshops and interactive breakout sessions. The CILT International Convention commenced on 11th with Women in Logistics and Transport (WiLAT) Forum and Young Professionals Forum (YPF) sessions in parallel. Aisha Ali-Ibrahim, WiLAT Global Convener, at the outset welcomed the country delegates from Hong Kong, Singapore, Macao, Nigeria, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, China, Mauritius, Pakistan, Australia, North America and Ghana. The keynote speech was made by Pansy Ho, Regional Patron of WiLAT Asia and Co-Chairperson of MGM China Holdings, who spoke of great strides that WiLAT has reached, globally expanding to 19 countries and commended the WiLAT community for their efforts. Other speakers were, Miriam Lau, Founding Member of WiLAT Hong Kong and Chairperson of Liberal Party, Nazreen Haq, Chairperson of WiLAT Pakistan and Gayani de Alwis, WiLAT SL Co-founder/Past Chairperson. De Alwis presented WiLAT Sri Lanka’s partnership with UNWomen on women empowerment. De Alwis was also felicitated for her services rendered to WiLAT by Global Convener Aisha Ali-Ibrahim at the Convention. The WiLAT Sri Lanka delegation was represented by Gayani De Alwis, Co-founder/Past Chairperson, Niroza Gazzali, Vice Chairperson, Amra Zareer, Secretary, Gayathri Karunanayake, Treasurer, Manjari Nigamuni and Shakkya Perera, Co-opted ExCo Members. This year also saw the biggest delegation attending a WiLAT International Convention from Sri Lanka. The most notable feature this year was that CILT awarded a travel scholarship to a young WiLAT to attend the convention. WiLAT co-opted ExCo member Shakkya Perera was chosen as the lucky winner. 

WiLAT SL Past Chairperson being felicitated     

On a lighter note, a talent contest was held under the theme ‘We Got Talent’ organised by WiLAT Hong Kong for the Convention participants at the WiLAT Dinner on 13 June at MGM Grand hotel in Macao to showcase the talents of CILT and WiLAT family. Sri Lanka team performed a traditional dance act under the theme ‘Pooja – A Fusion of Blue Rays’ which depicted a blend of cultural dance and music. The two member Sri Lankan team, Manjari Nigamuni and Shakkya Perera won the award for the ‘Best Originality & Creativity’. Sri Lanka team also received a commendation as the best entry of the CILT Idea Exchange Poster for the WiLAT’s flagship ‘Ignite’ mentoring initiative at the CILT President’s dinner on the 12th.

The delegates were also taken on a technical visit to Hong Kong which included a visit to Hong Kong Airlines, Kwai Chung Modern Terminals, MTC OCC at Tsing Yi and a Tram Ride. The CILT International Conference was an excellent opportunity for networking, to develop new International relationships and share experiences and best practices with colleagues across the CILT Global family. The delegation, while showcasing their best practices and sharing their talents had the opportunity to develop new contacts with the Global CILT family. The next CILT/WiLAT International Convention will be held in Wrocław, Poland from 3 to 6 June 2018. 

WiLAT team with the winning poster from Sri anka

The Women in Logistics and Transport (WiLAT) forum is a Global forum, which was formed in Sri Lanka in 2013 by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Sri Lanka to encourage the representation of women in the transport and logistics industry and to address the wide gender imbalance. WiLAT Sri Lanka creates awareness on career opportunities, increases access to information and supports continuous professional development. The forum also offers networking opportunities to share industry best practice as well as training and mentoring opportunities. WiLAT is present in 19, of the 34 countries that CILT is present with over 1,600 members in the supply chain, logistics and transport industries and rapidly growing globally.