Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council held its 51st Annual General Meeting on July 14, 2021. Considering the prevailing situation in the Country, this year’s AGM was held as a Virtual Meeting connected through Microsoft Teams.
Russell Juriansz was elected as the Chairman and Imalka Kumarapeli and Trisherman Frink were elected as the 1st Vice Chairman as the 2nd Vice Chairman respectively for the year 2021/2022.
Committee members representing 15 trade associations connected to international trade, 50+ individual members and past Chairmen of the council participated for this year’s AGM making it an important event attracting the elite of Sri Lankan import and export sector involved in logistics and shipping.
The Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council has a 50 + years rich history representing the interests of shippers in the Island. It was the first National Shippers’ Council to be set up in Asia in March1966 now having 14 product member associations and over 50 individual members representing almost all industries engaged in international trade making it one of the most vibrant councils in the Country.
The Council’s engagement and contribution towards drafting some of the policies of national importance and its involvement in the reform process of border agency activities during the past years are noteworthy.
To name a few are: Amendments to the Sri Lanka Customs Ordinance, Implementations of Sri Lanka Customs automated processes, Establishing the Sri Lanka Customs’ Export Facilitation Centre, Drafting the blue print for the National Single Window, Trade Liberalization measures and areas of Trade Facilitation, Preparation and implementation of National Export Strategy, Free Trade Agreements, National Trade Policy, Trade Information Portal, on-line payments cum e-signatures and drafting the National Policy for Maritime and Logistics.
The Council also actively supports the Sri Lankan Government’s vision of making Sri Lanka the Logistics Hub in the Asian region, which would result in the generation of enhanced economic activity, employment and wealth. As such, all Council activities have been planned and prepared to support this vision and facilitate international trade.
