August 19, 2025
How do you see the role of Sri Lanka evolving in the regional logistics ecosystem, particularly considering the country’s strategic location?
Sri Lanka’s position at the crossroads of major shipping lanes offers immense potential as a regional transshipment hub and gateway between East and West. Its connectivity to South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa places it at a natural intersection of global trade flows.
Looking ahead, the country is likely to enhance this geographic advantage through integrated infrastructure, digitised platforms, and smart technologies. Investments in container terminals, highway connectivity, and value-added warehousing will drive faster movement of goods, reduce costs, and improve reliability.
With free trade agreements and government led trade facilitation efforts, Sri Lanka is poised to transition from a transit point to a full-service logistics and supply chain enabler. At Aitken Spence Logistics, we view this evolution as both an opportunity and a responsibility. Our investments in modern facilities, technology, and people are aligned with this transformation. We are committed to delivering seamless, sustainable end to end solutions that contribute to Sri Lanka’s rise as a trusted logistics hub.
In short, Sri Lanka is well positioned to evolve from a port centric nation to a vital logistics player, with the potential to unlock significant regional and global value through strong public and private collaboration.
Over its 40-year journey, what have been the core elements behind Aitken Spence Logistics’ growth and resilience in the market?
Our resilience and growth over the past four decades have been driven by a clear focus on operational excellence, innovation, and customer value. From day one, we have placed emphasis on delivering reliable, high quality services while adapting to changes in the market landscape.
Embracing change has been central to our progress. We have kept pace with global trends by integrating digital transformation into our operations, adopting sustainable practices, and developing service models that cater to dynamic customer needs. Our ability to respond proactively to disruptions whether global or local has positioned us as a trusted and agile partner.
People remain our greatest strength. We’ve built a culture that fosters professionalism, collaboration, and accountability. Our teams are encouraged to think independently, take initiative, and deliver measurable results. The support of Aitken Spence PLC has further enabled us to scale responsibly, invest in strategic initiatives, and expand into new segments with confidence.
Ultimately, our ability to balance tradition with innovation and performance with purpose has helped us build enduring relationships and retain our leadership in Sri Lanka’s logistics sector.
Your company recently adopted the Pink Warehouse initiative, a progressive step in a traditionally male dominated industry. What influenced this decision, and how has it been received internally and externally?
The decision to adopt the Pink Warehouse initiative was shaped by our ongoing learning through key business partnerships, especially those that value diversity, equity, and inclusion as strategic strengths. Observing how inclusive workforce models have improved operational outcomes in similar global settings inspired us to integrate such a concept within our own operations.
The idea wasn’t just to introduce women into the logistics workforce but to create an environment where they could succeed in roles historically reserved for men, particularly in operational areas like forklift handling and warehouse supervision. We recognised that meaningful inclusion requires more than policy; it calls for infrastructure, mindset, and support systems.
Since implementation, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Internally, our female staff members have shown remarkable confidence and professionalism, becoming advocates for inclusion and inspiring others across the organisation. Externally, the initiative has been well received by clients, industry peers, and the wider business community as a bold and necessary shift for the logistics sector in Sri Lanka.
Adopting the Pink Warehouse is not only a reflection of our values as a responsible and forward thinking organisation, it is also a commitment to shaping a more inclusive future for logistics by learning from the best and then leading by example.
How important is logistics to Sri Lanka’s broader economic development, and what more needs to be done at a national level to support the industry?
Logistics plays a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s economic development. It is the invisible engine that moves products, connects supply chains, and facilitates trade. Efficient logistics operations reduce overhead costs, increase delivery speed, and enhance the competitiveness of Sri Lankan exports in the global market.
To fully leverage its strategic location and potential, Sri Lanka must continue to invest in modern infrastructure particularly ports, highways, and multimodal hubs. These investments must be supported by policy frameworks that promote ease of doing business and streamline regulatory processes. Adopting digital tools for customs clearance, cargo tracking, and trade documentation will reduce administrative bottlenecks and enhance transparency.
Public private partnerships can accelerate innovation and bridge infrastructure gaps. At the same time, there must be a concerted effort to nurture talent through vocational education and industry academic collaboration. Building a skilled workforce that is equipped for the future of logistics digital, sustainable, and customer driven is critical.
Simply put, logistics is no longer a support service. It is a strategic pillar of economic growth. By strengthening this sector through investment, policy, and people, Sri Lanka can build a globally competitive logistics ecosystem that drives national progress.
