Business
CICT rewards its champions at South Asia’s first quay crane operators’ competition
Presents 39 awards and cash prizes worth Rs 2.45 million after competition covering speed, accuracy, efficiency, and safety
Six years after he began operating a Mega Gantry Quay Crane at the South Terminal of the Port of Colombo, Chathuranga Pushpakumara was adjudged the champion quay crane operator at Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT), winning the first competition of its kind in South Asia.
Pushpakumara, 29, from Attanagalla, Gampaha, was among 30 exceptionally-skilled quay crane operators recognised by CICT with 39 awards and cash prizes totalling Rs 2.45 million at the Company’s inaugural Quay Crane Championship Awards held recently.
The Championship Awards for Quay Crane operators was launched to commemorate the 150th anniversary of CICT’s parent company China Merchants Group (CMG) and is one of 150 competitions that will take place around the globe this year.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, CICT CEO Mr Jack Huang said: “Productivity and safety are the two core competitive advantages that CICT has over the other terminals in the region. Adherence to these aspects has made us one of the best terminals in Asia. On the other hand, our quay crane operators play a key role in the company’s productivity and safety aspects and therefore are pivotal to our success. We are delighted to be able to recognise and reward these skills in our employees through this latest championship awards which are aligned with CICT’s culture of appreciating best-performing employees.”
The CICT competition comprised of two rounds. While all 82 quay crane operators participated in the first round and were judged based on basic skills required to operate mega quay gantry cranes, 30 operators that qualified for the second round were judged based on advanced skills. Time, accuracy, efficiency, and safety while operating were the key criteria in both rounds.
Six quay crane operators who scored the highest in the second round of the competition were declared ‘QC Champion Stars’ and were felicitated with certificates, plaques, and cash prizes at the CICT Quay Crane Championship Awards ceremony. The QC Champion Stars included the grand prize Gold award winner of Rs 600,000, the two Silver award winners – Mr Akila Ushan and Mr Charith Sonal who were presented Rs 400,000 each, and the three Bronze award winners – Mr Asanka Lakruwan, Mr Dhanushka Ariyasena and Mr Dilan Jayanayaka who were presented Rs 200,000 each. The Champion Stars are all experienced quay crane operators, the Company said.
Additionally, three operators with less than three years of crane operating experience were presented ‘QC Shining Star’ awards. Mr Yojitha Bimal placed first in this category received a cash prize of Rs 200,000, while Mr Lahiru Jayawardana and Mr Chanaka Udayanga placed second and third were presented Rs 150,000 and Rs 100,000, respectively.
Meanwhile, the top 30 performers who qualified for the second round of the competition were also recognised with medals and certificates at the ceremony.
The awards ceremony was punctuated by colourful musical performances by a seven-person band from the talent pool of CICT. This is the first time that the Company showcased extra-curricular flair of its employees. The top performers were joined by their family members at the ceremony. All participants were treated to a special lunch following the awards presentation. The panel of judges for the first-ever quay crane operator competition consisted of senior mentors. The event is expected to be an annual feature in the CICT calendar, the Company said.
CICT manages the South Terminal of the Port of Colombo, the first and only operating deep-water terminal in South Asia, which is equipped with facilities to handle the largest vessels afloat. Since its inception in 2014, the terminal has incrementally grown the volume it has handled; from 686,639 teus in 2014, to just over 3.2 million teus in 2021.
CICT is the flagship overseas terminal of China Merchants Port Holdings Company Limited (CMPort). CMPort is the largest and a globally-competitive public port developer, investor and operator in China with investments in Mainland China, Hong Kong and overseas. CMPort has a port network portfolio spanning 50 ports in 26 countries and regions. Guided by the vision “To be a world class comprehensive port service provider” and supported by its domestic, overseas and innovation strategies, CMPort strives to strengthen its core competencies in global throughput, port service and management.
Company stresses ambition to surpass this milestone
Eyes markets across Africa and beyond
In a groundbreaking achievement for Sri Lanka’s IT and electronics manufacturing industry, EWIS Colombo Ltd, the country’s first and only local computer manufacturer, has successfully exported its first consignment of locally built laptops to Zimbabwe.
This landmark event not only positions Sri Lanka as an emerging force in global IT hardware manufacturing but also highlights EWIS’s commitment to innovation, quality, and excellence on the international stage.
This historic shipment, dispatched from EWIS’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Samajasewapura, Sooriyawewa, underscores the company’s dedication to delivering world-class technology solutions. With over 11 years of expertise in manufacturing and assembly, EWIS Colombo Ltd has played a pivotal role in driving Sri Lanka’s ICT sector forward. As a Board of Investment (BOI) Section 17-approved company, EWIS has established the country’s first and only local computer manufacturing plant, paving the way for the nation’s growth in high-tech exports.
Speaking on this momentous achievement, Sanjeewa Wickramanayake, Chairman of EWIS Colombo Ltd, said: “This milestone is not just for EWIS but for Sri Lanka as a whole. It proves that our country has the talent, capability, and ambition to manufacture and export high-quality IT products, competing confidently on the global stage. As we continue expanding beyond local markets, we take immense pride in showcasing Sri Lanka’s excellence in technology and innovation to the world. EWIS’s commitment to world-class quality is reinforced by its ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, CE, FCC, and RoHS certifications, ensuring compliance with international quality, safety, and environmental standards.”
Speaking further he said:
“For nearly four decades, EWIS has been a trailblazer in Sri Lanka’s ICT sector, delivering cutting-edge solutions for education, businesses, and government enterprises.
With over 11 years of local manufacturing and assembly expertise, EWIS has continuously refined its capabilities to produce high-quality, internationally competitive IT hardware. The successful export to Zimbabwe represents a bold step toward expanding EWIS’s global footprint, reinforcing Sri Lanka’s potential as a world-class technology and manufacturing hub.”
The International Institute of Health Sciences (IIHS), a pioneer in healthcare training for over 23 years, has partnered with the University of Surrey, UK, to revolutionise healthcare education in Sri Lanka and the broader South Asian region. This will create a world-class academic pathway for aspiring nursing and healthcare professionals, as well as young individuals seeking careers in the field. Under this agreement, IIHS and the University of Surrey will introduce a series of academic initiatives to enhance healthcare training and accessibility.
These include delivering internationally recognised nursing programmes that allow Sri Lankan and regional students to earn globally competitive qualifications in Sri Lanka.
Commenting on the move, Dr. Kithsiri Edirisinghe, CEO & Dean of Undergraduate Studies at IIHS, said: “This MOU marks a significant step in our mission to deliver world-class healthcare education to Sri Lanka and the region. IIHS remains dedicated to shaping the future of healthcare professionals and fostering global healthcare leadership.” Dr. Shelini Surendran, Associate Dean (International) at the University of Surrey, emphasised: “Sri Lanka is establishing itself as a regional education hub, and this partnership ensures students across Asia can access top-tier UK healthcare education at IIHS. By bridging academic excellence with accessibility, we provide students with a clear pathway to their professional goals.”
Dialog Television, Sri Lanka’s #1 Pay-TV service provider, has partnered with Emerging Media to enhance the convenience and effectiveness of advertising. This collaboration brings together Dialog Television’s world-class entertainment, featuring 18 advertisable channels across genres such as movies, edutainment, kids, music, sports, and local content, with Emerging Media’s expertise in digital advertising and targeted marketing. This synergy creates a seamless platform for businesses to maximize brand exposure across multiple channels.
With a reach of over 1.7 million households, Dialog Television provides advertisers with a powerful avenue to engage diverse audiences. Brands can place advertisements on leading international and local channels such as &flix, Star Movies, TLC, Animal Planet, AXN, Zee Café, Comedy Central, Star Plus, A+, Nickelodeon, Star Vijay, Zee Tamil, Star Sports, Ten Cricket, Sony SIX, ThePapare TV, Channel One, Citi Hitz and Channel C. Through this partnership, Emerging Media will facilitate advertising sales, allowing businesses to target specific viewer segments while simplifying the media buying process with a single point of contact.
Commenting on the partnership, Lim Li San, Group Chief Operating Officer at Dialog Axiata PLC, stated, “As Sri Lanka’s premier Pay-TV service provider, we serve more than 1.7 million households with over 6 million pairs of captive eyeballs across Sri Lanka. Today, we are excited to embark on this partnership with Emerging Media to avail our Dialog Television platform and brand strength to provide quality advertisement exposure and customer engagement to local businesses across Sri Lanka.”
Harvard offers free tuition to families earning less than $200,000
Canada’s Carney makes statement by choosing Europe, not US, for first foreign trip
Cannes award-winning actress Dequenne dies at 43
-
Foreign News2 days agoSearch continues in Dominican Republic for missing student Sudiksha Konanki
-
Features5 days agoRichard de Zoysa at 67
-
News6 days agoAlfred Duraiappa’s relative killed in Canada shooting
-
Editorial7 days agoGhosts refusing to fade away
-
Midweek Review6 days agoRanil in Head-to-Head controversy
-
Features5 days agoSL Navy helping save kidneys
-
Features7 days agoThe Gypsies…one year at a time
-
News3 days agoDPMC unveils brand-new Bajaj three-wheeler