Business

Demystifying supply chain management

Published

2 years ago

2024/05/31

By Dr. (Eng.) Sanath Divakara

Supply chain management has been in vogue for many decades and has raised the interest of both academics and practitioners. The concept is more popular within international business and yet it is important to demystify it further for adapting to current practices.

As we know theories are updating fast amid the technological revolution. The current practices in many disciplines of industry undergo integration, such as, human resources, marketing, quality management, project management and operation management. The Industrial Revolution has made a tremendous contribution to the integration of many concepts, including supply chain management.

An essential part of every business model is the supply chain and its management. All the components of this chain should be thoroughly controlled. It will bring about a cost decrease and a profitability increase. Therefore, this discussion would enable our readers to understand the concept of supply chain management which is evolving through industry practices. .

Supply chain concept relies on movement of materials from supplier to customer and finance and information in the opposite direction. Evolution of supply chain management has been characterized by increasing integration of each task, a trend underlined in the 1960s. History signifies a consolidation in 1980 in identifying two areas of material management and physical distribution. The process continued toward 1990 as globalization incited functional integration and the emergence of logistics into the field.

All the functional elements that were under material management and physical distribution became part of logistics. However, there was no significant discussion on information and communication technologies. In the 2000s technology became the factor used everywhere in the world for exponential development and information and communication technology played a vital role. Industry rivalry influenced to change many concepts under the concept of modern management. Value addition, information, and financial flows were the main concepts that were under the critical discussion and completed the integration with the emergence of supply chain management.

It allows for the integrated management and control of information finance, goods and services flows, making possible a new range of production and distribution systems. Supply chain management has become a complex sequence of activities aiming at value capture and competitiveness. Supply chain is integrated logistics that connects operations and services to convert raw materials and components into finished goods and then deliver those goods to the end customers.

Supply chain management is the planning and control of a business’s flow of goods, services and information. It aims to minimize the cost and meet the needs of customers with increased efficiency. Supply chain management oversees all the processes involved in getting a product or service to customers, including procurement, logistics, warehouse, inventory control and distribution. Supply chain management is an art and science of ensuring products or services reach the right place, at the right time, right price and in the right condition. It is the intricate web of process, people, technology, and resources that make the entire journey possible, from raw materials to the hands of the end customer.

It is obvious that supply chain management is a concept that describes more than does logistics. Logistics is part of the supply chain and defined by Lambert, Stock & Ellram as the process of planning, implementing and controlling the efficient effective flow and storage of goods, services and related information from point of origin to point of consumption for the purpose of conforming to customer requirements. Logistic systems are often described as a network of nodes and links describing an interconnected web. Logistics itself includes transportation, hence no additional requirements are needed to specify logistics and transportation. Similarly, there are misnomers used in the process of supply chain management as supply chain and procurement, supply chain and logistics etc.

All News Advertisement

Business

Climate compliance pressure mounts on Lankan businesses

Published

12 hours ago

2026/06/7

Thilina Walpola

Lankan businesses are facing increasing pressure to strengthen climate governance, compliance, and risk management frameworks as climate-related disclosure requirements, investor expectations, and regulatory standards continue to evolve.

Against this backdrop, Genesis – the Dilmah Centre for a Sustainable Future will host a specialised post-summit technical workshop titled “Climate Action: A Strategic Executive Workshop on Climate Resilience and Business Continuity” on June 12, in Colombo.

The programme is designed as a continuation of discussions initiated at the Sri Lanka Climate Summit 2026 and will bring together sustainability managers, compliance officers, ESG professionals, risk specialists, and corporate decision-makers. It aims to translate climate commitments into practical business strategies.

The workshop will focus on implementation rather than advocacy, examining emerging disclosure frameworks, financing mechanisms, and regulatory pathways shaping corporate climate action in Sri Lanka.

Keynote speaker Dr. Lalanath de Silva, an internationally recognised environmental lawyer and governance expert, will address the evolving legal and compliance landscape influencing climate-related business decisions.

Technical sessions will cover IFRS S2 climate-related disclosures, climate risk governance, green finance opportunities, internal carbon pricing, and access to climate financing. Speakers will include climate risk specialist Rohan Cooray, Shiranee Yasaratne of Biodiversity Sri Lanka, and Suganthi Samarasinghe of UNDP Sri Lanka.

Organisers said climate readiness is increasingly becoming a business necessity rather than a sustainability option, with growing scrutiny from global markets and regulators.

Participation is free of charge, but prior registration is required due to limited seating for professionals in sustainability, governance, compliance, and risk management roles.

Business

SPAR Sri Lanka Opens New Outlet in Kurunegala

Published

12 hours ago

2026/06/7

Thilina Walpola

SPAR Sri Lanka has expanded its retail network with the opening of a new outlet in Kurunegala, marking another milestone in the supermarket chain’s growth across the country.

The new store, strategically located to serve the growing population of the North Western Province, offers a wide range of products, including fresh fruits and vegetables, premium meat products, bakery items, household essentials and both local and international brands.

The outlet also features several specialty sections, including a Coconut Corner, Wellness Corner and a dedicated area catering to pet care products.

Speaking at the opening, SPAR Sri Lanka Chief Executive Officer Kumar de Silva said the new outlet reflects the company’s commitment to delivering a “glocal” shopping experience by combining international retail standards with local customer preferences.

“Our Kurunegala outlet reflects our dedication to providing customers with the best range, superior quality and exceptional service under one roof,” he said.

The store also offers SPAR’s signature fresh food concepts, including in-store bakery products, ready-to-eat meals and freshly prepared juices aimed at meeting the needs of busy consumers.

The company said customers will benefit from a range of promotional offers, loyalty rewards, weekend deals and seasonal discounts.

SPAR Sri Lanka said the expansion would also contribute to local economic development through employment generation and support for local suppliers, further strengthening the country’s retail sector.

Pic and Text by SK Samaranayake

Business

Royal end title drought with dramatic shootout triumph

Published

12 hours ago

2026/06/7

Thilina Walpola

The victorious Royal College Under-20 hockey team pose with the championship trophy after emerging unbeaten champions of the All Island Under-20 Hockey Tournament at the Rajarata University Grounds in Mihintale. Front row (left to right): Ronal Edirimanne, Sulaiman Shihar, Gunitha Dissanayake, Dilsara Prabath, Kumuthulu Goonathilake, Savain Karunasiri, Vidu Wijesinghe, Seth Pathirathne, Pasindu Epa and Hirun Lindula. Back row (left to right): Stefan Anthonypillai, Geesath Bathisa, Haazim Dhailamy, Teacher-in-Charge Uditha Kumara, Coach Damith Panditharatne, Captain Aathif Faleel, Kithmina Rathnayake, Vice Captain Lithum Karunasiri, Nehan Wijayanayake, Yusuf Shihar, Ruvi Perera and Rumal Jayasinghe.

Royal College, Colombo, emerged unbeaten champions of the All-Island Under-20 Hockey Tournament after defeating defending champions St. Thomas’ College, Matale, in a nail-biting sudden-death penalty shootout at the Rajarata University Grounds in Mihintale last week.

The final ended in a 1-1 draw after Royal equalised five minutes from time to cancel out the Matale side’s earlier lead.

With the penalty shootout also ending in a 4-4 deadlock, the match proceeded to sudden death. The Reid Avenue outfit eventually prevailed in the second round of sudden-death penalties to clinch the title.

A brilliant save by goalkeeper Stefan Anthonipillai, who stretched to his right to deny a crucial attempt, and the decisive conversion by Rumal Jayasinghe helped Royal secure the Under-20 championship for the first time since the tournament’s inception in 2014.

Royal’s centre-forward Savain Karunasiri was one of the team’s standout performers throughout the tournament, scoring crucial goals, including strikes in both the semi-final and the final. Anthonipillai was equally impressive, guarding the goal superbly throughout the seven-match campaign.

Royal finished runners-up when the tournament was held in Matale last year.

The Colombo school produced a series of consistent performances despite having to play on an uneven grass surface that was not ideally suited to the fast-paced modern game.

Royal began their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Christ Church College, Matale, before defeating arch-rivals St. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, 1-0. They then beat Kingswood College, Kandy, 2-0 and Maris Stella College, Negombo, 2-1 to top their group.

In the quarter-final, coach Damith Panditharatne’s side overcame fancied Dharmadutha College, Badulla, by 2-0.

Royal then edged out St. Joseph Vaz College, Wennappuwa, 1-0 in the semi-final, adopting a disciplined defensive approach against the aggressively attacking Puttalam outfit.

In the other semi-final, St. Thomas’ College, Matale defeated Trinity College, Kandy, 3-1. St. Joseph Vaz later beat Trinity 1-0 in the third-place playoff.

Panditharatne’s five-year development programme, with a strong emphasis on fitness, stamina and technical skills, played a key role in Royal’s success. The title marked Royal’s first national Under-20 tournament triumph since winning the National Schools Games in 2017.

A former national player, Air Force striker and Sri Lanka Police coach, Panditharatne has focused on addressing the weaknesses of individual players while building a cohesive unit. The former Christ Church College, Matale player has been coaching Royal since 2022 with the support of the Royal College Hockey Club (RCHC), comprising former Royal hockey players.

For his outstanding performances, Anthonipillai was adjudged the Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament. Royal College was also named the Most Disciplined Team of the Tournament.