About Me

Chair Prof. Lalith Edirisinghe, PhD

Chair Prof. Lalith Edirisinghe, PhD

I am Chair Prof. Lalith Edirisinghe, PhD—Doctor of Engineering, Chartered Logistician, and Chartered Marketer with over 43 years of global experience in logistics, shipping, education, and policy. As Dean of the Faculty of Management & Social Sciences at CINEC, Head of the World Bank’s Technology Transfer Office, and Expert Consultant to the UN Secretariat, I pioneer education reforms, author research, and advise globally to inspire the next generation.

My academic journey includes postgraduate studies in Business Management at the University of Colombo, an MBA in International Trade and Logistics at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura in collaboration with the University of Canberra, and a PhD from Dalian Maritime University, China, affiliated with the World Maritime University, Sweden. I also hold specialized certifications including the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (UK).

As Dean of the Faculty of Management and Social Sciences at CINEC Campus and Head of the World Bank-funded Technology Transfer Office, I have pioneered the concept of Education Vertical Integration (EVI) in Sri Lanka, bridging school curricula with university education to produce “work-ready” graduates. I spearheaded the introduction of Logistics, Commercial Shipping, and Maritime Science into the national school system and initiated the National Day for Logistics (2021) and National Day for Seafarers (2024).

I have authored 24 books, including textbooks on logistics and shipping, published over 100 research articles, and contributed to the United Nations through working papers, handbooks, and consultancy assignments. My innovative contributions include introducing new transportation theories and securing patent rights for CONET, a container inventory management software.

Beyond academia, I serve on advisory panels including the EU Wellness Tourism Advisory Group and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board’s Subcommittee on Capacity Building. I have also contributed to national policy drafting in transport and tourism.

My ambition is to leverage my knowledge, innovation, and global collaborations to inspire the next generation and create meaningful impact worldwide.

1. PhD, in Transportation planning and Logistics Management
2. MBA- Master’s Degree in International Trade and Logistics from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura Sri Lanka in collaboration with the University of Canberra- Australia.
3. Postgraduate studies in Business Management from the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka (Distinction pass)
4. Executive Diploma in Marketing (Distinction pass) University of Colombo Sri Lanka
5. Certificate of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code from the North West Kent College in the United Kingdom in 2009.
6. Chartered member of Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT International) UK (CMILT)
7. Member of Nautical Institute UK (MNI)
8. Chartered Marketer (2010/12) awarded by Chartered Institute of Marketing –UK
9. Member of Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM)
10. Member of Organisation of Professional Associations of Sri Lanka (OPA)
11. Toastmaster International: Competent Leader (CL) and Competent Communicator (CC)
12. Expert- Consultant in Transport and Logistics of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP)

1. Program Leader of LLB program conducted by University of Bedfordshire, UK
2. Program leader of master’s and Undergraduate programs awarded by the Southampton Solent University -UK and conducted in Sri Lanka by CINEC Campus
3. Program leader of Undergraduate, Masters and PhD programs awarded by Dalian Maritime University- China (Affiliated to World Maritime University, Sweden) and conducted in Sri Lanka by CINEC Campus
4. Researching, experimenting and appreciating the correlation between theory and application through student centred teaching methods, combined with innovative evaluation methods, students’ punctuality, discipline, leadership. My teaching method is dominated by students’ regular participation in industry events, intervention with industry experts, parents. internship, multi-disciplinary projects etc.
5. Chair (Venue & Event Management) EASTS 2019 Conference Committee – Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies, Japan.

1. Best Research in Ports & Shipping 2016 in the international conference of Research for Transport and Logistics Industry (R4TLI) Sri Lanka, 2016 organized by Sri Lanka Society for Transport & Logistics (SLSTL) have come together with the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport Sri Lanka to inaugurate R4TLI Effective Management of Container Inventory through Collaboration: the pathway to Virtual Container Pool

2. Best Research paper 2019 of International Conference on Maritime Transport Costs and Port Efficiency (ICMTCPE) 2019 held in April 22 – 23, 2019 Tokyo, Japan organized by the World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology (WASET)

3. NRC Merit Award for Scientific Research – 2018

4. Best Paper-I for the paper titled “The future of Travel Business: A Conceptual Approach through Tourism Logistics Perspectives” at the International Conference “Tourism and Innovation: The future of Travel Business, Entrepreneurship, and Employment” – 2021

5. Keynote address on the topic “A Conceptual approach in Tourism through Tourism logistics” at the international conference “Tourism and Innovation: The future of Travel Business, Entrepreneurship, and Employment” organised by the Department of Tourism, School of Professional Studies – 2021

Click here to read my research work.