25 Years of ICS in Sri Lanka

Date of Issue: February 09, 2012

The Philatelic Bureau of the Department of Posts issued to commemorate 25 years of Institute of chartered Ship Brokers, Sri Lanka Branch.

Being an island nation, SRI LANKA was heavily depended on her Shipping Industry for promotion of the export/import trade with her overseas trading partners and for the development of her economy. No wonder therefore, the local shipping industry was buzzing with activity day in/ day out.

Up to about the early 1980s, professionals in shipping were rarely found in the island. It was around this time and sensing the Lacuna, the management of the Ceylon Shipping Corporation (CSC) - the National Carrier - formulated a policy decision which made it mandatory for its staff (clerical and middle management level) to qualify the examinations conducted by the “Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) - UK” to be eligible for promotion in the hierarchy of the organization. In order to facilitate this process and also assist the aspirants who desired to qualify; the management of CSC provided a well-equipped library including study material required for these examinations. Having followed a traditionally set process of shipping practices that existed in the local industry which had evolved over the decades; this move by the CSC was to revolutionize the approach to many issues that emanated in the industry, come future. And it did as it subsequently turned out to be.

Many thanks to my swap friend, Prasanna Jayathillake (Jay Dew in Facebook) for the stamp and First Day Cover.

Text Source: srilankastamps.lk