Man ward being presented by Hon.Minister of Port and Shipping – Arjuna Ranathunga to Mr. Sarathkumara Premachandra – Managing Director of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) at a recent award ceremony.
Mr. Sarathkumara Premachandra is appointed as the Managing Director of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA). The official appointment was handed over to Mr. Premachandra by Hon. Minister of Port and Shipping Arjuna Ranatunga at a special meeting that took place at SLPA on 03rd December 2015.
Prior to this appointment, Mr. Premachandra was serving as the Regional Manager of Asian Terminals of CMA CGM, the world's third-biggest shipping line.
Mr. Dammika Ranatunga, the Chairman of the SLPA addressing the meeting stated that the new Managing Director will receive the fullest cooperation from the Directors and the Management of the SLPA in implementing the strategic objectives of SLPA. He also highlighted about the increased efficiency levels during the last one month’s operations at the port. The Chairman reiterated that “we have identified human capital as the best strength that SLPA has and I’m confident that with such a strong pool of resources at our disposal, we could deviate from traditional and lethargic practices to begin a new journey with hope, courage and confidence to develop SLPA as one of the best ports in the world. He warmly welcomed the new Managing Director to the Ports Authority.
Mr. Premachandra, the new Managing Director of Sri Lanka Ports Authority, addressing the meeting stated that he will do his best to honour of the trust the Minister, Chairman and the Board of Directors placed in him. He stated that with such a pool of talented people, he can surely predict that the future of SLPA is in safe hands. He also mentioned that “ we can make SLPA a successful and competitive public institution that feeds the national economy of the country in a real big way”.
Mr. Premachandra, at one time was SLPA's Chief Operations Manager, Director (operations) and the Additional Managing Director, having begun his career in 1978 as a management trainee. He has wide experience in container terminal operations, having held senior management positions at the Port of Fujairah and Westport of Malaysia, in addition to SLPA terminals. He joined CMA CGM group in 2002. France's CMA CGM, based in Marseille, has the world's third biggest container fleet, behind Maersk Line and Mediterranean Shipping Company. It also operates terminals worldwide through its Terminal Link and CMA Terminals units.