Advantis Group Strengthening Sri Lanka's Role in Global Trade

Ruwan Waidyaratne, Managing Director of Advantis Group, the transportation and logistics arm of Hayleys PLC, has over three decades of experience in the sector. He has played a key role in expanding the Group's operations across South Asia and Southeast Asia, while diversifying its service portfolio. With a focus on sustainable growth and a people-first approach, he works to drive innovation, build industry partnerships, and support the resilience of the logistics sector. On the occasion of National Logistics Day, he shares his perspective on the evolving logistics landscape and the opportunities ahead for Sri Lanka.

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WHAT DOES NATIONAL LOGISTICS DAY MEAN FOR SRI LANKA'S LOGISTICS INDUSTRY?

National Logistics Day is a celebration of the people and systems that keep our nation connected, not only internally, but also with the rest of the world. Logistics often operates behind the scenes, however, it touches every aspect of daily life, from the food we eat, to the goods on store shelves, to the delivery of critical, lifesaving medicines. For Sri Lanka, the day is an opportunity to recognise the vital role logistics plays in supporting our exporters, enabling tourism, and driving regional trade. It also allows us to reflect on how the industry is evolving, what challenges we face, and how we can work collectively, across the public and private sectors, to strengthen Sri Lanka's position as a regional logistics hub.

HOW DOES ADVANTIS GROUP CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF SRI LANKA'S LOGISTICS SECTOR?

Advantis has been part of the country's logistics story for over six decades. Our footprint spans Freight Management, Integrated Logistics, Marine & Energy, Projects & Engineering and Travel & Aviation, allowing us to provide end-to-end solutions to our customers. What sets us apart is our ability to combine local expertise with global best practices. Whether we are managing a warehouse in the heart of Colombo or coordinating complex international shipments, our goal is the same, to deliver reliability, efficiency, and value ultimately with the aim of providing peace of mind to our customers. We also invest in modern facilities, digital platforms, and training programmes that not only benefit our clients but also help raise industry standards across Sri Lanka.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE BIGGEST OPPORTUNITIES FOR SRI LANKA IN THE COMING YEARS?