Advantis Group Strengthening Sri Lanka’s Role in Global Trade

Ruwan Waidyaratne, Managing Director of Advantis Group, the transportation and logistics arm of Hayleys PLC, has over three decades of experience in the sector. He has played a key role in expanding the Group’s operations across South Asia and Southeast Asia, while diversifying its service portfolio. With a focus on sustainable growth and a people-first approach, he works to drive innovation, build industry partnerships, and support the resilience of the logistics sector. On the occasion of National Logistics Day, he shares his perspective on the evolving logistics landscape and the opportunities ahead for 

Sri Lanka.

Q What does National Logistics Day mean for Sri Lanka’s logistics industry?

National Logistics Day is a celebration of the people and systems that keep our nation connected, not only internally, but also with the rest of the world. Logistics often operates behind the scenes, however, it touches every aspect of daily life, from the food we eat, to the goods on store shelves, to the delivery of critical, life-saving medicines. For Sri Lanka, the day is an opportunity to recognise the vital role logistics plays in supporting our exporters, enabling tourism, and driving regional trade. It also allows us to reflect on how the industry is evolving, what challenges we face, and how we can work collectively, across the public and private sectors, to strengthen Sri Lanka’s position as a regional logistics hub.

Q How does Advantis Group contribute to the development of Sri Lanka’s logistics sector?

Advantis has been part of the country’s logistics story for over six decades. Our footprint spans Freight Management, Integrated Logistics, Marine & Energy, Projects & Engineering and Travel & Aviation, allowing us to provide end-to-end solutions to our customers. What sets us apart is our ability to combine local expertise with global best practices. Whether we are managing a warehouse in the heart of Colombo or coordinating complex international shipments, our goal is the same, to deliver reliability, efficiency, and value ultimately with the aim of providing peace of mind to our customers. We also invest in modern facilities, digital platforms, and training programmes that not only benefit our clients but also help raise industry standards across Sri Lanka.

Q What do you see as the biggest opportunities for Sri Lanka in the coming years?

Sri Lanka’s greatest strength lies in its geographical location. Positioned at the crossroads of major east–west shipping lanes, the country is naturally placed to serve as the gateway to South Asia. The launch of the Colombo West International Container Terminal (CWICT) and the ongoing development of the East Container Terminal (ECT) demonstrate a clear, strategic commitment to expanding port capacity and improving operational efficiency. These developments will help meet the evolving demands of global trade, positioning the Port of Colombo as a future-ready logistics hub and strengthening Sri Lanka’s standing in the international maritime arena. Beyond this, there is significant untapped potential in e-commerce fulfilment, cold chain logistics for agriculture and pharmaceuticals, and the adoption of green logistics solutions as more businesses seek sustainable supply chain partners.

Q With rapid changes in the logistics sector, how is Advantis preparing to stay ahead, particularly in areas like technology and sustainability?

The logistics sector is evolving rapidly, driven by advances in technology and rising sustainability expectations. At Advantis, we are investing in advanced systems, state-of-the-art warehouse management solutions, and data analytics to enhance speed, visibility, and cost-efficiency.

Sustainability is central to our strategy and guided by our ESG framework. We have committed to reducing absolute greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030. To achieve this, we are transitioning our facilities to renewable energy, optimising transport routes to lower fuel consumption, adopting eco-friendly packaging, and shifting our fleet to sustainable energy sources. On a broader front, our flagship blue carbon initiative, Advantis Blue C, focuses on regenerating and conserving blue carbon ecosystems, especially mangroves, while restoring biodiversity, creating livelihoods, and strengthening community resilience.

However, technology and sustainability alone are not enough, our people remain our greatest strength. We invest heavily in upskilling through the Advantis Campus, our in-house corporate university, and the ‘Advantis All Around’ programme with universities, building capacity not only within our organisation but across the entire industry.

Q How important is collaboration within the logistics industry?

Collaboration is absolutely critical. Logistics is a complex network, and no single player can manage it alone. Working closely with all relevant stakeholders is essential to ensure smooth and reliable operations. At Advantis, we engage proactively with industry partners to align standards, streamline processes, and share knowledge. This collaborative approach not only delivers better outcomes for our clients but also enhances Sri Lanka’s competitiveness as a leading logistics hub.

Q What is your message for the industry on National Logistics Day?

On National Logistics Day, I would like to acknowledge the resilience, dedication, and expertise of the thousands of professionals in our industry. For every individual in the logistics value chain, your work keeps Sri Lanka moving. Let us continue to innovate, collaborate, and invest in our capabilities so that we can seize the opportunities ahead and create lasting value for our country and the communities we serve.

About Advantis Group 

Advantis is a diversified transportation and logistics provider, with over six decades of experience and operations across Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, the Maldives, Myanmar, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Backed by the blue-chip multinational conglomerate Hayleys PLC, Advantis is at the forefront of the transportation and logistics industries, providing end-to-end solutions covering Freight Management, Integrated Logistics, Marine and Energy, Projects and Engineering, and Travel and Aviation. In recognition of Advantis’ exceptional service, the Group has been honoured with the prestigious title of ‘Best Transportation and Logistics Company in Sri Lanka and South Asia’ by Global Brands Magazine. For more information on Advantis, 

visit www.advantis.world