Dr. Mahinda Parakrama Dissanayake has been appointed as the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), marking his third time leading the country’s premier port institution.
A respected figure in Sri Lanka’s maritime and logistics sectors, Dr. Dissanayake has previously served twice as Chairman of the SLPA, and his latest appointment reflects continued confidence in his leadership and strategic vision for the industry. His return comes at a pivotal time as Sri Lanka seeks to strengthen its position as a regional maritime and transshipment hub.
Dr. Dissanayake brings decades of experience in both public service and corporate leadership. He has served as Secretary to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Southern Development and has played a central role in shaping national maritime policy. His previous tenures at the SLPA were marked by institutional reforms and operational strengthening initiatives aimed at enhancing efficiency and competitiveness.
He currently serves as Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of Aitken Spence PLC, where he holds several senior leadership positions within the diversified conglomerate. His corporate management expertise is expected to complement his deep sectoral knowledge in steering the SLPA forward.
Dr. Dissanayake was also recently appointed by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake as Advisor to the President on Maritime, Ports and Logistics, further underscoring his standing as one of the country’s foremost maritime professionals.
An internationally recognised expert, he has served on the UN/UNCTAD Panel as a shipping specialist and has held leadership roles in professional bodies including the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (Sri Lanka) and the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (Sri Lanka). He has received multiple national and international awards in recognition of his significant contributions to the shipping and logistics sectors.
