Shippers Council holds 55th AGM

Outgoing Chairman Sean Van Dort highlights deep concern over entrenched corruption within Sri Lanka's import-export sector Advocates for full digitalisation of trade processes as the most effective way to eliminate face-to-face interactions and curb bribery With growing support from industry associations calls for implementation of anew legal framework New Chairman Trisherman Frink proposes to focus on several key priorities in the year as global and regional shipping environment undergoes rapid transformation

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THE 55th Annual General Meeting of the Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council took place at the Hilton Colombo, on 18 July with Western Province Governor Hanif Yusoof as the Chief Guest.

The apex body representing shippers, the Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council was established in March 1966 to promote and protect the interests of shippers. It was the first National Shippers’ Council to be set up in Asia and was formed on a request made in 1965 by the local committee of the Ceylon Continental Conference, and a subsequent request made by the Director of Commerce in January 1966, to The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.

Membership of the Council consists of Chambers of Commerce, Trade Associations, and individual corporate members. 17 trade associations and over 50 individual members are currently members of the Council.

The Annual General Meeting commenced with tributes to two distinguished Past Chairmen of the Sri Lanka Shippers Council, the late W.T. Ellawala, who was Chairman from 1974 to 1977 and from 1989 to 1992 and the Late Gordon De Silva, who was Chairman from 1994 to 1998, in recognition of their exceptional leadership, guidance, commitment and contribution in promoting the ideals, standards and principles of the Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council.

Sean Van Dort, relinquished his position as the Chairman, having completed a distinguished second term from 2023 to 2025. His first term as Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council Chairman was from 2014 to 2017.

Lalan Rubbers Ltd., General Manager - Shipping and Logistics Trisherman Frink, the First Vice-Chairman, who represents the Colombo Rubber Traders’ Association, was unanimously elected Chairman of the Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council.