Monday Aug 17, 2026
Monday Aug 17, 2026
Monday, 3 August 2026 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Sri Lanka Logistics and Freight Forwarders Association (SLFFA) has raised concerns over the growing number of unsolicited invitations being circulated among Sri Lanka’s logistics and freight forwarding community by little-known overseas organisations promoting questionable international award programmes.
According to the Association, many of these organisations invite companies and individuals to attend award ceremonies only after paying participation fees ranging from $500 to $1,000. SLFFA believes these programmes are designed primarily as commercial ventures, where recognition is effectively purchased rather than earned through merit.
SLFFA has emphasised that such awards have no affiliation, endorsement, or recognition from any established Sri Lankan trade association, government institution, professional body, chartered institute, or accredited academic organisation. The Association noted that independent endorsement is a fundamental requirement for any award programme claiming credibility within Sri Lanka.
Investigations conducted by SLFFA indicate that many of these organisers operate from outside Sri Lanka, predominantly from India, and have no recognised relationship with the country’s logistics or freight forwarding industry. The Association has also retained copies of promotional emails and marketing material received by several member companies as evidence of the practice.
In contrast, SLFFA highlighted the National Logistics Awards (NLA) as Sri Lanka’s only nationally recognised logistics awards platform. Established by SLFFA in 2022 and successfully held again in 2024 at the Shangri-La Colombo, the NLA has earned recognition through the support of government authorities, industry stakeholders, and leading trade organisations. The awards are based on a structured and transparent evaluation process that recognises genuine professional excellence rather than financial contribution.
Since its establishment in 1981, SLFFA has remained committed to advancing professionalism, ethical business practices, and industry development. The Association noted that while a modest administrative fee is charged for National Logistics Awards (NLA) applications, the selection process is conducted independently and transparently, ensuring that winners are recognised solely on merit.
SLFFA has firmly rejected what it describes as attempts by unknown foreign organisations to capitalise on the reputation of Sri Lanka’s logistics sector through “pay-for-recognition” schemes. The Association has formally appealed to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce to take appropriate action to discourage and prevent such misleading activities from gaining acceptance within the country.
SLFFA calls on all stakeholders to remain vigilant and united in protecting the reputation and credibility of Sri Lanka’s logistics industry, which must not be undermined by fake awards which are sold to anyone that pays.
