CILT conference focus on Lanka:

Boom in transport, logistics

Indunil HEWAGE

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Chairman Prof Amal S Kumarage said having shorter, smarter, qualitative logistics and transport sector will be sustainable for the country.

Speaking at the CILT International Conference yesterday he said the country has to improve transport and logistics sector in a sustainable manner.

Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal handing a token of appreciation to keynote speaker at the CILT conference India’s Centre for Policy Research Senior Research Fellow Partha Mukhopadhyay. Picture by Sudath Nishantha

“The transport and logistics sector contribution to the country’s economy is 10 percent and it accounts for 12 to 14 percent employee participation out of the total workforce in the country,” he said.

“Passenger transport has to be seen more than a business and freight and passenger transport should be a reliable tool.

Adopting IT into the transport and logistics industry will assist in providing required information accurately and quickly to people in the country. “Private sector long-term investments in technology and user provision in the transport and logistics industry is essential to harness the economic benefits in an effective manner,” Prof Kumarage said.

Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal said “Key opportunities are emerging in the transport and logistics sector in the country. Sri Lanka is to become an aviation, naval, knowledge, energy and commercial hub.

It will act as main engines to create a platform to achieve the US $ 4,000 per capita income in five years. Two major areas such as naval and aviation are under the transport and logistics industry in the country and it has bigger role to play to develop the country,” the Governor said.

Addressing the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) International Conference the Governor said tremendous work is being done in the aviation sector.

Currently 14 domestic airports are being improved to cater to the increasing tourism industry needs and other commercial activities in the country.

“The main airport in the country is 60 years old and it is time to have another airport in the country,” he said.

He said the main port in the country is 700 years and five new harbours Colombo South, Hambantota, Galle, Kankesanthurai and Oluvil are being developed to meet the economic targets in the country.

Highways are also being constructed by creating an impetus for enhancing economic activities in the country and when that happens private sector would also seize opportunities in the commercial activities in the country.

The Governor said as proclaimed in the Mahinda Chinthana concept, transport does not stand itself and it is driven by the demand from other sectors in the country.

Expansion in the transport sector will increase the activities in the other economic centers in the country creating value addition to the country and people. “Railway transport is the most unutilized mode and it owns a large number of lands. However, it has not utilized the existing resources in an effective manner. New railway lines are being constructed and it is time to create additional value to country by using available opportunities in the railway sector,” he said.