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. |