ISMM to host National Supply Chain Day 2026 and National Supply Chain Excellence Awards

The Institute of Supply and Materials Management (ISMM) will lead the celebrations of National Supply Chain Day on 24 October 2026, marking a significant milestone in the recognition and advancement of Supply Chain Management (SCM) in Sri Lanka.

In collaboration with the Industry Ministry, ISMM will organise the National Supply Chain Day Celebrations on 24 October at Monarch Imperial, Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte. The program will feature a full-day seminar, the National Supply Chain Excellence Awards 2026, and ISMM’s 54th Anniversary Banquet Dinner.

Established on 24 October 1972, ISMM has played a pioneering role in developing competent supply chain professionals in Sri Lanka for more than 53 years. Recognising the national and global importance of SCM, and its contribution to economic growth and competitiveness, the Government of Sri Lanka, following recommendations submitted by ISMM and subsequent Cabinet approval, has declared 24 October as National Supply Chain Day.

ISMM is the only professional body in Sri Lanka established by an Act of Parliament (Act No. 3 of 1981) with a mandate to promote and conduct training in Supply Chain Management. The national recognition acknowledges the Institute’s longstanding contribution to professional development and underscores the strategic importance of supply chains to Sri Lanka’s economic progress.

The seminar will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. under the theme “Geopolitics, Technology, and the Future of Global Supply Chains.” It will bring together local and international supply chain leaders, industry experts and professionals to discuss emerging trends, best practices, technological innovations and the evolving dynamics of global supply chains.

The program will comprise four sessions: an Industry Forum, a CEO Forum, a Technical Session and the NextGen Supply Chain Leaders Forum. Together, these sessions aim to encourage knowledge-sharing, strengthen industry collaboration and equip participants with insights to support organisational performance and national development.

The Industry Forum, themed “Sri Lanka’s Supply Chain Transformation: Challenges, Opportunities and Competitiveness,” will examine the challenges and opportunities shaping the country’s supply chain landscape, with a focus on transformation, operational excellence and international competitiveness.

The forum will be chaired by Unilever Sri Lanka Director-Supply Chai Damith Abeyrathne. The panel will comprise: Advantis 3PL Director /Chief Executive Officer Dharshana Wijemanne, Vallibel ONE PLC Board Member and Group Director – Supply Chain and Business Excellence Harshani Randiligama, John Keells Group Senior Vice President and Keells Head of Supply Chain Isuru Polgasdeniya, and Lion Brewery Ceylon PLC Senior Vice President – Supply Chain Planning, Manufacturing and Contract Manufacturing Irusha Palawatta.

The CEO Forum, under the theme “Navigating Global Uncertainty: Building Resilient Supply Chains in a Fragmented Market,” will bring together business leaders to explore strategies for building resilient, agile and competitive supply chains amid geopolitical uncertainty, market fragmentation and changing business conditions.

The forum will be chaired by Siam City Cement (Lanka) Ltd., – INSEE Cement Chief Executive Officer Thusith Gunawarnasuriya. The panel will comprise: JAT Holdings PLC Director/Chief Executive Officer Nishal Ferdinando, Hemas Consumer Brands Managing Director Sabrina Esufally, John Keells CG Auto Ltd., Chief Executive Officer Charith Pandithrathne, McLarens Group Group Chief Executive Officer Mahesh Kurukulasuriya, and Omega Line Ltd., Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director Felix Fernando.

The Technical Session will focus on “From Digitalisation to Intelligence: Harnessing AI and Emerging Technologies for Next-Generation Supply Chain Management.” The session will explore how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies can enhance decision-making, improve operational efficiency and strengthen digital resilience across supply chains.

The session will be chaired by SLT-MOBITEL Deputy Chief Transformation Officer Ishari Siriwardane. The presentations will include; “Artificial Intelligence for Smart Decision-Making” by Technoli Institute of Digital Business Founder/Managing Director Saminda Deshapriya, and “Digital Risk, Cybersecurity, and Data Governance in Supply Chains” by Rockland Distilleries Group Chief Technology Officer Vachintha Piyadasa.

Dedicated to engaging and empowering the next generation of supply chain professionals, the NextGen Supply Chain Leaders Forum will focus on fostering innovation, leadership and future-ready capabilities within the industry.

The forum will be chaired by Nestlé Lanka Ltd., Director – Supply Chain Kanchana Fernando. The panel will comprise; Paradise Toys Ltd., General Manager Dilshan Silva, Sunshine Consumer Lanka Head of Supply Chain Mahendhran Xavier, Lactalis Sri Lanka Head of Logistics and Customer Service Isuru Bogoda, and EFL 3PL Global Head of Supply Chain Innovation and Systems Supun Kanchana. 

The forum will provide a platform for emerging leaders to exchange perspectives, discuss industry developments and explore the skills and capabilities required to navigate the future of supply chain management.

The evening program will commence at 6:30 p.m. at Monarch Imperial, Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, with the National Supply Chain Excellence Awards 2026, followed by the 54th Anniversary Banquet Dinner of ISMM.

The awards ceremony will recognise outstanding achievements and contributions to Supply Chain Management at both individual and organisational levels. Organisational awards will recognise excellence across four enterprise categories – Extra Large, Large, Medium and Small – covering the Manufacturing, Service and Trading sectors.

Special accolades will also be presented for “Best Supply Chain Practicing Organization of the Year” and “Best Supply Chain Professional of the Year.”

The awards aim to recognise exemplary practices, celebrate professional excellence and encourage organisations and individuals to continually improve supply chain performance and standards across Sri Lanka.

The declaration and celebration of National Supply Chain Day represent an important milestone for ISMM and the wider supply chain management profession in Sri Lanka. The Government’s recognition provides an official platform to highlight the strategic role of supply chains in national economic development, business resilience and international competitiveness.

At a time when supply chains are being reshaped by geopolitical developments, digital transformation, technological advances and evolving market demands, the initiative reinforces the need for skilled professionals, innovative practices and closer collaboration among public- and private-sector stakeholders.