{"id":7563,"date":"2026-10-01T11:38:44","date_gmt":"2026-10-01T06:08:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/economictimes.lk\/?p=7563"},"modified":"2026-10-01T11:38:45","modified_gmt":"2026-10-01T06:08:45","slug":"slffa-elects-new-leadership-at-45th-agm-sets-sights-on-positioning-colombo-as-regional-cargo-hub","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/economictimes.lk\/index.php\/2026\/10\/01\/slffa-elects-new-leadership-at-45th-agm-sets-sights-on-positioning-colombo-as-regional-cargo-hub\/","title":{"rendered":"SLFFA Elects New Leadership at 45th AGM, Sets Sights on Positioning Colombo as Regional Cargo Hub"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Sri Lanka Logistics & Freight Forwarders\u2019 Association (SLFFA) held its 45th Annual General Meeting (AGM)<\/strong> at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo, electing new office bearers for the 2026\/2027 term. The event was graced by Hon. Anura Karunathilaka<\/strong>, Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation, as Chief Guest, alongside Mr. W.W.S. Mangala<\/strong>, Secretary to the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation, as Guest of Honour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the meeting, Mr. Andre Fernando<\/strong>, Managing Director of MAC Supply Chain Solutions (Pvt) Ltd, was elected as Chairman of SLFFA<\/strong> for 2026\/2027. Joining the executive leadership team are Mr. Shavindra Dias<\/strong> (Managing Director of Foreway Logistics) as Vice Chairman and Mr. Priyan Seilman<\/strong> (Director of Scanwell Logistics Colombo) as Treasurer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The newly elected Executive Committee features representatives from leading logistics enterprises, Aitken Spence Cargo (Pvt) Ltd,David Pieris Logistics (Pvt) Ltd,Expolanka Freight (Pvt) Ltd,Famous Pacific Shipping Lanka (Pvt) Ltd,Freight Links International (Pte) Ltd, GAC Logistics (Pvt) Ltd,Hellmann Worldwide Logistics (Pvt) Ltd,Salota International (Pvt) Ltd,Shermans Logistics (Pvt) Ltd and Speedmark Transportation Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.The committee reaffirmed its commitment to advancing industry collaboration and strengthening Sri Lanka’s logistics and freight forwarding sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Addressing the gathering, the Association outlined a strategic roadmap aimed at “Fast Tracking Colombo to be the Next Cargo Hub”<\/strong> by expanding beyond traditional transshipment into a fully integrated regional logistics hub. Proposed initiatives include developing Sea-Air multimodal bonded corridors<\/strong> with 24-to-48-hour connections to compete effectively with established international hubs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To support growing trade volume, SLFFA highlighted key infrastructure developments at Bandaranaike International Airport as well as the East and West Container Terminals at the Port of Colombo. Additionally, SLFFA Cargo Services<\/strong> has submitted a proposal to invest in LCL cargo and Multi-Country Consolidation<\/strong> facilities under a private-sector investment initiative led by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the past year, SLFFA achieved notable milestones in trade digitalisation and financial governance:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Digital Infrastructure:<\/strong> Launched ASYHUB<\/strong> in collaboration with Sri Lanka Customs to accelerate processing and info-sharing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Paperless Trade & Training:<\/strong> Implemented digital Delivery Order validations via the NAVIS system, trained over 650 industry professionals<\/strong>, and submitted a Digital Transformation Report<\/strong> to government policymakers advocating for electronic bills of lading.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Member Protection:<\/strong> Successfully defended member interests regarding the Cargo Account Settlement System (CASS) and launched a centralised SLFFA Debtor Database<\/strong> to promote disciplined credit management across its membership of over 180 companies<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    The Association reiterated the importance of continuous workforce development through its dedicated training division, the Academy of International Trade and Transport (AITT)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Beyond business initiatives, SLFFA highlighted its ongoing social responsibility contributions, which include supporting paediatric operating facilities at Lady Ridgeway Hospital, assisting the Arthur Perera Elders\u2019 Home, and donating Rs. 3.2 million to the Rebuild Sri Lanka initiative<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The newly elected leadership and Executive Committee will continue to work towards strengthening the freight forwarding and logistics industry in Sri Lanka, promoting industry collaboration, and advancing the interests of SLFFA members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Source : Ada Derana Biz<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    The Sri Lanka Logistics & Freight Forwarders\u2019 Association (SLFFA) held its 45th Annual General Meeting…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":7564,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7563","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-economy"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t