CASA Young Professionals Association launched

C. P. de Silva

Young professionals from the shipping industry, launched an initiative for the development of a human resource base of the shipping and logistic sector in line with the Government's hub concept.

The young shipping industry professionals, who are members of the Ceylon Association of Ship's Agents (CASA), launched the association within the holds of the CASA as Young Professionals of CASA on May 30, 2013, at the Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo, for the development of skills and experience of the youths of CASA for future human resources needs in shipping and logistics.

The launch was held under the patronage of Project Minister of Ports and Highways, Rohitha Abeygunawardena. Leading personalities in the industry – Navy Commander Jayanath Colombage, SLPA Chairman Dr Priyath B. Wickrema, Director General Customs, Jagath Wijeyweera, Director General of Merchant Shipping Ajith Seneviratne and many dignitaries from fields relating to shipping and youths of 130 CASA member companies, including guests and the media were present at the occasion. The new steering committee was led by Chairman Mevan Peiris, of the Ceyline Group.

Speaking at the launch, Chairman Mevan Peiris said that CASA would provide a unique and dedicated platform to identify and develop skills and experience needed for Sri Lankan shipping professionals of the next generation. He said that through the young professionals of CASA who were below the age group of 35 years, CASA hoped to develop both the much needed professional and leadership skills the shipping industry would need, as our economy under the government's development plans to develop the country into a 'Shipping Hub' Chairman Meven Peiris concluded.

The steering committee of the newly established Young Professionals of CASA are, Mevan Peiris, Chairman from the Ceyline Group, Navin Perera, Vice Chairman from GAC Shipping Ltd., Kuvini Gamage, Secretary from Mc Larens Shipping, Shalinie De Silva, Asst Secretary from Mc Larens Shipping, Hasitha Dissanayake, Treasurer, from CMA CGM and Duminda Silva Asst. Treasurer, from Maersk. The other highly skilled members of the steering committee are Jehan Rodrigo from Prudential, Mahen Panagoda from Aitken Spence, Nuwan Shanaka from Asha Agencies and Natarsha Fernando from Ceyline.

The proposed youth forum of CASA has already received strong interests with 102 registrations of young people from different shipping companies in Sir Lanka. In addition to its goals of creating a learning and development culture among the youths, the Young Professionals of CASA would also take on corporate social responsibility projects on behalf of CASA.