Women in Logistics and Transport Sri Lanka holds 12th Annual General Meeting

Women in Logistics and Transport (WiLAT) Sri Lanka, the Women’s Forum of The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Sri Lanka and one of the five pioneering fora in WiLAT Global, was inaugurated on 21 March 2013 to promote the Logistics, Transport, and Supply Chain industry to female members and support their career development, following the global launch of WiLAT in June 2013. By 2018, WiLAT had over 2,000 members in 20 countries and currently it is present in 40 countries. WiLAT’ s vision is to be the most sought-after for advocacy, professionalism, and empowerment of women in supply chain, logistics, and transport Its mission is to elevate women’s status in logistics and transport by uniting supporters of their career development and providing a support network and mentoring opportunities.

The Annual General Meeting of this esteemed body to appoint the new Chairperson and the Executive Committee members for the term 2025/26, was held on 8 May at BMICH Lavender Hall. Unilever Sri Lanka Ltd. former Head of Logistics and Customer Service Rumal Fernando was unanimously elected as the Chairperson to lead WiLAT team for the year 2025/26 supported by DOK Solution Lanka Ltd. Chief Operating Officer Prabodhanie Wanigasundara, in the capacity of the Secretary and EFL Global Manager – Global Shared Services Sahana Vithanagama, as the incoming Treasurer for the year 2025/26. 

Rumal Fernando will also be supported by three Vice Chairpersons (VCs); Michelin Lanka Ltd. Procurement Project Manager Nadika Kongalage, as the VC Membership Development, Aitken Spence Logistics Deputy General Manger – Container Freight Station Prashani Liyanage, as the VC Branding and Sponsorships and DHL Global Forwarding Lanka Ltd. Key Accounts Manager Nilufa Nizam, as the VC Membership Services. Supporting the three main pillars, the executive committee will include dynamic professionals from the logistics and supply chain industry and leading organisations in Sri Lanka to advance WiLAT’ s annual agenda. This occasion was graced by Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Sri Lanka President Chandima Hulangamuwa and Immediate Past President Dr. Namali Sirisoma, WiLAT Sri Lanka Immediate Past Chairperson Niroza Gazzali, WiLAT Members, corporate partners and sponsors.

Rumal Fernando is a Chartered member of CILT and an active Executive Committee member of WiLAT Sri Lanka and has served WiLAT as a Vice Chairperson since 2023. She brings with her over 25 years of extensive experience in the FMCG industry. She formerly served as the Head of Logistics and Customer Service at Unilever Sri Lanka Ltd., and also led the procurement function for over a decade. In addition, she has played key roles in Customer Development (sales function), demonstrating her versatile leadership and deep industry expertise. 

After accepting her new position and addressing the gathering, Rumal Fernando shared her vision for WiLAT SL and stressed the need to urgently address the gaps in industry awareness among younger generation who would help take the industry forward in future. She also stated that it is important to focus on encouraging female participation and introducing females to the industry to drive inclusivity and diversity among the industry and amongst professionals. She also emphasised the mutual benefits that can be obtained by collaborating with public and private enterprises, regulatory bodies and other professional organisations in driving the logistics and transport industry towards greater heights and making it future ready.

As the outgoing Chairperson of 2024/2025 term, Prof. Renuka Herath paid tribute to the dedication, resilience, and vision of the founding chairpersons and all the chairpersons and executive committee members who established and lead WiLAT so far supporting industry and helping women who are shattering glass ceilings and rewriting the narrative of logistics industry. She also acknowledged the WiLAT membership and her team during her tenure of 2024/2025 who were the driving force of the logistics and transport industry. She also went on to elaborate the initiatives executed through the three pillars of WiLAT; Membership Development, Membership Services and Branding and Sponsorship driven by the three dynamic Vice Chairpersons, Kumari Sumanasekara, Rumal Fernando and Aranthi Fernando respectively, aptly been supported by honorary secretary Prashani Liyanage and the Treasurer Vijitha Weerasinghe.

She thanked the Membership Services team for their invaluable efforts in organising numerous events including field visits, knowledge sharing sessions, insightful workshops, webinars, and seminars for professionals and university students to gain hands on experience and knowledge in diverse verticals in supply chain management. 

Work carried out by Membership Development team was also noted with appreciation in her speech as the outgoing Chairperson, as she elaborated how the team’s tireless efforts have translated into a remarkable expansion of CILT membership base through strategic and targeted membership drives, which successfully engaged both university students and corporate entities, injecting WiLAT and CILT with a diverse and dynamic energy. She also spoke about the WiLAT’ s signature initiative, the Ignite mentoring program which has acted as a beacon of guidance and support for young men and women aspiring to navigate the exciting world of logistics and transport and how WiLAT has ensured nurturing next generation of talent, who will continue to contribute positively during years ahead.

Prof. Renuka also thanked and elaborated exceptional work carried out the Branding and Sponsorship team who continued to share the work done by all pillars taking WiLAT brand to next level in social and print media creating a hype and excitement which has helped to create an exclusive and inspiring image for WiLAT locally and globally in many platforms. Special mention was done on the Branding and Sponsorship team for spearheading a milestone event, WiLAT Awards 2025 marking 12 years since WiLAT Sri Lanka’s launch and honouring the outstanding women and teams in cost efficiency, sustainability, digitalisation, and female leadership for their excellence and contributions to the logistics, transport, and supply chain industries. 

The newly appointed WiLAT Executive Committee will together stand stronger as a leading female advocacy group in Sri Lanka and the region and will steer all initiatives for WiLAT Sri Lanka under the four key strategic thrusts of WiLAT Global – leadership, entrepreneurship, mentorship and empowerment.

Awareness session on sustainable waste

Field visit to Civil Aviation Authority

Field visit to the Port of Colombo for mentees of the Ignite 10 program