He pioneered Commercial Maritime Education in Sri Lanka as Founder/Secretary of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers Sri Lanka Branch in 1989.
First Sri Lankan to have obtained both the highest Chartered Professional Qualifications in Shipping (FICS/Chartered Shipbroker) U.K and Logistic and Transport (FCILT/Chartered Fellow) U.K.
First and only Sri Lanka to Chair both the leading professional bodies in Maritime and Transport sector – Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers and Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (Sri Lanka branch).
Gave leadership to Aitken Spence Maritime overseas team – the first Sri Lankan company to venture into Port Management overseas, in the African Continent and also the first Sri Lankan company to pursue a Public Private Partnership (PPP) overseas, in South Pacific.
As Chairman/CEO of Sri Lanka Ports Authority in consultation with Board of Directors/Hon. Minister initiated following groundbreaking reforms (2002-2004):
Downsized the workforce by approx. 4000;Pioneering Terminal Service Agreement with leading global container carriers such as Maersk, APL, Hanjin Shipping Line, Zim-Goldstar, MCA-CGM, PIL, Norasia, Yang Ming Line, SCI; Elimination of ‘speed money’ that had plagued the Port of Colombo for approx. 30 years; Corporatization of Jaye Container Terminal; Privatization of some facilities in the Port of Trincomalee. Productivity enhancement at JCT, 100% worker attendance during May Day, New Year and Christmas holidays;
During tenure as Chairman Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), SLPA was ranked as the most profitable organization in Sri Lanka by Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (U.K).
First Non-British International President of The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (U.K). Founded in1911 and conferred with the Royal Charter in 1921. Since the appointment of the Institutes’ first President Sir Thomas Lain Devin Devitt in 1913, all Presidents have been British nationals.
He was re-appointed as Chairman/CEO of Sri Lanka Ports Authority in 2017. The Only Sri Lankan to hold this position twice since the nationalizing of the port’s services in 1956. Main Achievements during this period on the advice of the Minister in Charge, BOD of SLPA and the Management of SLPA, includes:
- Concluding the First Public /Private Partnership of a Port in Sri Lanka. (Hambantota Port).
- Attracting the largest / single foreign Direct Investment of US $ 1.17 Billion into Sri Lanka through the above Project.
- SLPA recording its highest profit of Rs 12 Billion in the year 2017.
- Modernization of Jaya Container Terminal with the formal initiation of JCT Stage V.
- During the 1st half of 2018, the Port of Colombo was ranked as the No.01 fastest growing Container Port in the world by the Dynaliners.
- In 2018 Port of Colombo was ranked as the 11th Best Container Port in the World for Connectivity.
HONOURS AND AWARDS CONFERRED
- Justice of Peace – All Island conferred by the Government of Sri Lanka
- Best Shipping Personality – by The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers
- Distinguished Services to Society – by PIMMA /University of Sri Jayewardenepura
- Contribution to Shipping Industry – by Ceylon Association of Ships’ Agents
Asian Brand Leadership award by CMO Asia