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Diruni Chanmugam appointed WISTA Sri Lanka President

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The Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association – WISTA Sri Lanka 8th AGM was held on 4th November at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, followed by Cocktails.

This event was graced by her excellency Julie J Chung, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, distinguished invitees and WISTA Members.

Addressing the gathering, her excellency Julie J Chung shared her experiences in breaking glass ceilings and overcoming gender disparities inspiring the gathering of WISTA members. She also stated that globally women representation in Shipping and Logistics is a mere 2% and urged females in the country, who are more than just over half of the population, to join forces in re-building the economy, advance good governance and further market reforms, and be a positive force in the labor market. She took time off her busy schedule to meet WISTA members over networking and cocktails.

Ms. Diruni Chanmugam – Director/ CEO of Shermans Logistics was elected as the President of WISTA Sri Lanka during the event. Diruni brings in a wealth of knowledge and experience in the Shipping and Freight Forwarding Industries to lead and achieve the objectives of WISTA Sri Lanka. Chamila Bandara – Director of Advantis Express, IML Delivery Systems and Member of the General Management Committee of Hayley’s Advantis, was elected as the Vice President. Kalani Dassanayake – Assistant Manager Commercial & Marketing of South Asia Gateway Terminals was elected as the Secretary, Sharmala Fernando – Manager Key Account Management of Mac Supply Chain was elected as the Assistant Secretary, Shiyamalee Karunanayake – General Manager Shared Services of Hayley’s Advantis was elected as Treasurer, Ruwini Perera – Assistant Manager Customer Solutions and Business Development Support of Hellman Worldwide Logistics was elected as the Assistant Treasurer.

The newly elected Executive Committee for the year 2022/23 consists of Nilu Mediwake Wickremasinghe – Director of SALOTA International, Swabha Wickramasinghe – Director Marketing of World Link Shipping, Anoma.V Ranasinghe – Consultant Shipping and HR Services of McLarens Shipping, Debbie Jones – Assistant General Manager P&I Division of GAC Shipping, Amali Mudunkotuwa – General Manager Operations of Regency Teas, Surangi Gunasekera – General Manager NVOCC of Prudential Shipping Lines, Enoka Wickremasinghe – Assistant General Manager Marketing of Shipping and Cargo Logistics, Anuka Pathirana – Assistant General Manager HR of GAC Shipping, Therani Kalyanapriye – LCL Execution Lead of Maersk Lanka, Udara Cumaratunga – Senior Manager Commercial and Marketing of South Asia Gateway Terminals, Madhu Welikala – Assistant General Manager Business Development of SALOTA International, Aparna Thilakaratne – Chief Law Officer of Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Aruni Wijepala – Deputy General Manager of Hayley’s Energy Services, Anjalika Perera – Manager Commercial of GAC Shipping, Dilky Bartholomeusz – Assistant Manager Customer Service of GFS Lanka and Deepika Wijesuriya – Director of Penguin Shipping . The Executive Committee will work towards implementing many initiatives in accordance with the WISTA Sri Lanka mandate on improving gender parity and women empowerment in the industry.

Addressing the gathering the newly elected President Diruni Chanmugam expressed her confidence in leading WISTA Sri Lanka to be a strong force in the industry and outlined priorities that she intends to focus on during the year. Diruni stated that there now is a trend where more women are taking up career development initiatives focusing on higher studies in the industry which is a welcome change and it is her utmost intention to encourage more women to be equipped with leadership skills to prepare them for future leadership positions in their respective Companies. She also stated that Maritime and Logistics Sector need to embrace innovation, digitization, better cross border mobility, creating neutral platforms to collaborate and share experiences in addressing some of the challenges faced in the Industry. Diruni invited all members to join committees and collaborate by working together on projects to promote diversity and inclusion in the maritime and Logistics Sector.

Key highlight of the event was recognizing WISTA Personality of the year which was awarded to Dr . Sulochana Segera, founder and Chairperson of Women in Management (WIM). This recognition was bestowed on Sulochana for the immense contribution made to uplift the standards, promote gender parity in Sri Lanka and the region. She was able to stamp her mark in many overseas markets taking WIM representation to the region and to be recognized internationally by winning several awards. She also dedicates time and resources, joining hands with the Corporate community to uplift the standards of living and wellbeing of the underprivileged community needing support with several unique initiatives.



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Low-floor buses launched to boost accessible public transport for differently-abled

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A new low-floor bus service that gives priority to persons with disabilities and special needs was launched last Tuesday (21) from the Makumbura Multimodal Center (MMC).

The service was inaugurated under the patronage of Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, Bimal Rathnayake.

Accordingly, ten specially designed low-floor buses have been introduced into the transport service today. These buses are specially designed so that wheelchair users, visually impaired passengers and also expectant women can board the bus with ease, the Transport Ministry said.

Each bus has 30 passenger seats and separate seating areas have been allocated for passengers using wheelchairs.

The pilot project operates on routes from Makumbura to Colombo Fort and from Makumbura to Kadawatha. These routes also cover major hospitals including the Colombo National Hospital and the Maharagama Apeksha Hospital.

Speaking at the event, Subject Minister Bimal Rathnayake stated that while these buses prioritize the differently-abled community, they will also provide a comfortable and reliable transport service for all passengers.

He also noted that 122 low-floor buses are planned to be introduced into service before the end of this year, and that in the future the service will be expanded to areas such as Kandy, Batticaloa, Matara and Jaffna.

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Nestlé Lanka Announces Change in Leadership

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Nestlé Lanka Limited has announced the appointment of Manav Sahni as its Chairman and Managing Director effective 01 May 2026. He will be succeeding Bernie Stefan, who will be transitioning to a new global role within the Nestlé Group. Bernie Stefan led Nestlé’s Sri Lankan operations through a particularly challenging time since 2023 – and has successfully guided the company through a strategic turnaround, positioning it on a axis for sustainable growth.

Speaking on his tenure at Nestlé Lanka, Bernie commented “Leading Nestlé Lanka has been a deeply meaningful chapter in my Nestlé journey. I am grateful to have worked alongside an amazing and resilient team that continues to make a difference for Sri Lankans across the country. On a personal note, it was an amazing opportunity to live on this beautiful island and experience firsthand the openness, warmth and kindness of its people, which has been the highlight of my Nestlé career to date. As Nestlé Lanka marks 120 years of enriching Sri Lankan lives, it is especially humbling to reflect on the role we have played in building on this legacy – positively touching individuals and families, strengthening community partnerships, and advancing our sustainability commitments. I am thankful to my colleagues, partners and stakeholders for their collaboration and trust, and to the wider business community, including through my role as a Board Member of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, for the opportunity to reinforce Nestlé’s commitment to responsible corporate citizenship. I leave very confident in the strength of the team and the journey that lies ahead.”

Manav Sahni brings with him over 18 years of experience in the FMCG & Telecom sector. Prior to taking on the role as Chairman and Managing Director of Nestlé Lanka Limited, he has been heading Nestlé’s Dairy business for the South Asia Region, where he expertly managed a highly diverse portfolio, driving sustainable business transformation.

“I am thrilled to take on the role of Chairman and Managing Director of Nestlé Lanka at such a pivotal moment in its journey. Nestlé has been part of Sri Lankan households for generations, and I am excited to work with the team to continue delighting consumers with tasty and nutritious products, while strengthening the positive impact we create through our brands and initiatives.”

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Majestic Cineplex Returns Bigger Better and More Immersive

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Ceylon Theatres will unveil the newly revamped Majestic Cineplex on the 29th of April 2026, beginning a new chapter for one of Sri Lanka’s best known cinema destinations. Located at Majestic City Colombo, Majestic Cineplex returns with major technology upgrades, enhanced comfort, and a range of premium viewing options, reinforcing Ceylon Theatres’ long standing reputation for raising the bar in cinema entertainment experiences in Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the upgraded Cineplex will be completely open to the public from 29th April 2026 onwards.

For generations of moviegoers, Majestic Cineplex has been a landmark venue in Colombo, and its latest transformation brings together the nostalgia of a familiar name with the excitement of a modern cinema experience. Leading the new screen line up is Majestic Platinum, which introduces Sri Lanka’s first and only digital LED cinema screen. Designed to deliver sharper visuals, deeper contrast, richer colour, and outstanding clarity, the auditorium features a 3D 4K Tricorne LED Cinema Screen together with Dolby Atmos surround sound. Majestic Platinum offers 226 seats, including 18 VIP recliner seats for those chasing a premium cinema experience.

The cineplex also features three additional theatres, each designed to offer a high quality movie experience. Majestic Superior includes Barco 2K projection, 3D capability, and 7.1 surround sound, with seating for 150 patrons. Majestic Ultra features the same advanced projection and audio systems with 149 seats. Majestic Gold offers a more private luxury setting with Barco 2K projection, 3D capability, DTSX surround sound, and 30 leather recliner seats, ideal for those looking for the most premium and exclusive experience.

Patrons can also enjoy an upgraded café experience with freshly prepared and ready to eat food available for purchase at the counter, along with convenience of being served to your seat. The new café experience, together with the upgraded theatres make for a more relaxed, enjoyable, and fulfilling experience for everyone.

Discussing the relaunch, Ganga Rathuvithana, General Manager Operations at Ceylon Theatres said, “Majestic Cineplex has always been a special part of Colombo’s cinema culture, and we are proud to welcome audiences back with an experience that reflects the future of movie entertainment. We have always believed in investing in the best available technology, from introducing Sri Lanka’s first 3D cinema to now launching the country’s first digital LED cinema screen. Our revamped Majestic Cineplex is designed to give movie lovers something truly special.”

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