Lifetime Chartered Shipbrokers UK Medal conferred upon Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake

Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers UK International President Kevin Shakesheff conferred Lifetime award on Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake on February 24, 2023

The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, which was founded in London in the year 1911 and Royal Charter awarded in 1920, has conferred its Lifetime Chartered Shipbroker’s Medal to Aitken Spence PLC Deputy Chairman and Managing Director Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake.

Dr. Dissanayake pioneered commercial maritime education in Sri Lanka through the institution’s branch in Sri Lanka as Founder/Secretary/Chairman. He was appointed as the first non-British International President of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (UK).

Dr. Dissanayake has authored and presented numerous articles on maritime and logistics. He was the first-ever industry professional to be appointed as Chairman of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and for two stints. 

He has held several other positions as Secretary to the Cabinet Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Southern Development, Chairman of Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Sri Lanka, Chairman of Advisory Council, Sri Lanka Transport Board, Board Director of Ceylon Shipping Corporation and Chairman/CEO of Aitken Spence Maritime and Logistics, the first Sri Lankan company to venture into port efficiency management and launch two public-private partnerships on ports outside Sri Lanka.

He is a Professor in Maritime Studies (visiting) at Shanghai Maritime University, Dalian Maritime University and Co-Chairman of CINEC Maritime Campus.  He has also served on the UN/UNCTAD Panel as a Shipping Expert and is a Member of the International Association of Maritime Economist.