Modern technology vital to develop transport industry

by Jayampathy Jayasinghe

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Harnessing modern technology is vital to develop the transportation industry in Sri Lanka.

Managing Director of Speedmark Sri Lanka, Sunil Malewana said that transportation industry by air, sea or rail was an old profession. He was addressing a ceremony to felicitate Speedmark employees in Colombo.

Malewana said that it wasn't an easy job to provide a good service and maintain a market with 35 shipping lines and 32 airlines calling at Colombo. Freight forwarding was also a supportive service linked to transportation which was centuries old. The Sri Lanka Freight forwarding business was about 27 years old and Speed Mark was a senior player with 20 years service.

He said when the company was formed twenty years ago it revolved around the traditional freight forwarding business where cargo was moved from one port to another. But the overall picture changed drastically over the years with increased customer demand. The value added service whilst moving freight had also increased tremendously with modern technology.

IT and logistics have come to play a big way in the business. He said Speedmark was already working towards a 5 -10 year plan according to changes taking place in the global market. Speedmark formed 20 years ago with only seven employees had grown from its humble beginnings to a full fledged freight forwarding company.

The following employees were felicitated for their outstanding contribution to the company.

Jagath Abeydeera, Shelton Jayasekara, Lasantha Nanayakkara, Sooriyarchchige Ratnapala, Ajith Sarathkumara, Oswald Annesley Daniel, Prasansa Rodrigo, Jayana Wasanthi, Pradeep Priyankara, Priyangika Perera, Anura Amarasinghe, Samantha Mohotti, Upali Prasantha Roy, Duminda Rajapaksa, Suresh Pathianage, Lenilton Fonseka, Dilini Perera.