SRI LANKA LOGISTICS & FREIGHT FORWARDERS ASSOCIATION

SRI LANKA LOGISTICS & FREIGHT FORWARDERS ASSOCIATION

Message from the Chairman

Sri Lanka Logistics & Freight Forwarders Association (SLFFA) was established in 1981 to promote and develop a sound freight forwarding and logistics industry. From humble beginnings with 22 members, acting as an intermediary organisation for exporters and importers, and their customers and suppliers, SLFFA’s membership currently comprises over 146 leading freight forwarding and logistics companies in Sri Lanka. SLFFA has been recognised as the apex body representing the industry.

While encouraging and facilitating training and development opportunities to enhance the strengths and effectiveness of the industry through the training and education arm of SLFFA, Academy of International Trade and Transport (AITT) and affiliated with the international body of freight forwarders – International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA), the freight forwarding community also supports the country’s exporters and importers by extending them credit facilities worth billions of rupees.

CSR lies at the heart of SLFFA and it has been funding certain areas of Lady Ridgeway Hospital, which is the largest paediatric hospital in Sri Lanka, for the past 10-12 years.

In conclusion, it’s fair to say that the logistics and freight forwarding industry is not merely a service provider but a vital player in the Sri Lankan economy as well.

Message from the Immediate Past Chairman

The concept of the National Logistics Awards, which is a prestigious national level awards ceremony for the logistics industry, was the brainchild of SLFFA’s executive and advisory committees in 2020.

Against the backdrop of the pandemic, the importance of the logistics industry was felt as never before and it was recognised as an essential service in the health sector.

The strength of our industry is in the people who work tirelessly to keep our shops, hospitals and fuel stations stocked, and the economy moving.

Sri Lanka’s logistics industry provides full-time direct employment to over 40,000 people in freight transport, freight forwarding, warehousing, value added services and other services while contributing around 2.5 percent to the GDP, which is about US$ 2 billion. It has never been more important to recognise and celebrate the unsung heroes on the front line of the supply chain such as drivers and warehouse operatives.

Conforming to SLFFA’s responsibility to the community, the National Logistics Awards 2022 was held on 23 March at Shangri-La Colombo with the key stakeholders of the fraternity.

Message from the Project Chairman

National Logistics Awards 2022

The key objective of the National Logistics Awards is to recognise and applaud stakeholders who have made significant contributions to the logistics industry with more than 40 awards across six main categories.

Amidst many debates and discussions, we devised the awards criteria and an application process that is fair. This took place under the guidance of an eminent panel of judges comprising reputed and well recognised individuals in the field of logistics. The panel was headed by Prof. (Dr.) Lalith Edirisinghe and it was the beginning of a few truly hectic months.

After many sleepless nights and postponing the event time and again due to the COVID-19 crisis, the National Logistics Awards 2022 was ceremoniously held on 23 March. This ceremony received the generous sponsorship of over 35 well-wishers and the endorsement of 28 organisations including the Ministry of Ports and Shipping, Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Sri Lanka Customs, Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka), SriLankan Airlines and the Sri Lanka Shippers Council along with educational institutes such as CINEC Campus.

The successful execution of a project of this magnitude was not an easy task. I’m grateful to those who believed in the concept, took the responsibility for it and worked tirelessly day and night to make it a reality.

Message from the Head of the Panel of Judges

National Logistics Awards 2022

The World Bank identifies six pillars that affect the logistics performance of a country: logistics quality and competence, infrastructure, customs, tracking and tracing, international shipments and timeliness.

In a report published by the bank, Sri Lanka’s overall logistics performance indicator was low at 94 out of 160 countries. This is a paradox considering our strategic geographic position. All stakeholders in this industry must work to change this perception.

A national day for logistics in Sri Lanka was announced last year by the Ministry of Transport with a vision to amalgamate and synergise all statutory bodies connected to this indispensable industry.

Applicants for the National Logistics Awards by SLFFA were evaluated on assessment tools based on the key pillars of the Logistics Performance Index (LPI) – quality of service, competence, track and trace capabilities and timeliness of service delivery. The panel of judges hailed from the private sector, public sector and academia.

Our sole objective is to assist SLFFA in recognising and encouraging service providers in Sri Lanka’s logistics space.

Telephone 4943031
Email manager@slffa.com
Website www.slffa.com