At the inception of the company when LAUGFS Maritime Services requested me to take over and deliver the first Sri Lankan owned Gas Carrier “Gas Challenger” I was in a bit of a dilemma, because at the time, I was in a foreign country and on my way to the airport after getting off from Vessel and was eagerly looking forward to spend time with my family.

But at the same time I felt really honored that the company placed their trust in me with their first vessel, so I accepted once I reached Sri Lanka. Now, after a few years with LAUGFS I am truly happy that I took the decision to work with LAUGFS. Then when the task was given to bring home the second vessel “Gas Success” I was even more thrilled, because the company was expanding.

Having worked overseas under different foreign managements I am truly humbled to be able to discharge my services to a truly Sri Lankan Company which is owned, managed and manned by Sri Lankans.

Navigation and Engine Cadets from all maritime training institutes in Sri Lanka have been given training onboard these vessels.
Most of the officers & crew who have worked under foreign companies have now gotten a chance to work in a truly Sri Lankan environment.
Families have been given opportunities to visit the vessels and see with their own eyes a sailor's working environment and crew members get the opportunity to visit home when vessels arrive in Colombo.

I would like to thank the Chairman and the Management of LAUGFS Maritime Services for giving us this opportunity and in return we guarantee to deliver the maximum effort to upgrade and maintain your precious floating properties and while continuing to be a part of the expanding maritime sector of the company.
Lastly “THIS IS A DREAM COME TRUE” for us.

I wish LAUGFS Maritime Services all the very best in their future endeavors.

In 2003 I Joined to Cinec campus as a Navigational Deck Cadet & completed academic Phase I Training program and thereafter joined “MV TENO” Refer cargo vessel for my first contract as a deck cadet in 2003 for a period of 12 month under ‘Fort Shipping Pvt Ltd’.
The turning point in my career was when I was selected to join “MT Sigas Lanrick” in 2005, which was my very 1st Gas tanker after completing the academic phase III at CINEC under said Company.
After successfully completing 24 month sea time and academic qualifications in 2007 I obtained my class III certificate of competency. These qualifications and experiences endorse me to work as a Navigational officer (Operational level) on merchant vessels
I started my carrier as a Navigational watch keeping officer in 2008 Jan on “MT SIGAS ETTRICK” capacity of 3rd Officer under the ownership of GIBSON GAS TANKERS managed by Fort Shipping Pvt Ltd.
After completing the required sea time I obtained my Class II certificate of competency in 2012.
Since 2003 to 2015 I was sailing under “Fort Shipping Pvt Ltd” as a capacity of 3rd and 2Nd Officer.
In 2015 I was entrusted of the delivery of MT Gas Success for LAUGFS Maritime under the Sri Lankan flag as a capacity of Chief Officer. I consider this to be an honor and a privilege and a personal career turning point where I can serve my motherland.
In 2018 i obtained my Class I certificate of competency. Since 2015 I sailed as a Chief Officer in LAUGFS MARITIME.
26th February 2021 was one of the most memorable day in my life. On this day I reached the pinnacle for a seafarer in being promoted to Master onboard “MT Gas Challenger”.
It was both an honor and a privilege to sail with LAUGFS Maritime Since 2015. But it was extra special when I got to wear my fourth stripe under the same company. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Dr.Leslie Hemachandra for the guidance and opportunity he had bestowed upon me. And also, to the LAUGFS Maritime Services for trusting my abilities and giving me the command onboard one of their fleet Vessel. I would cherish this opportunity forever.

I, Wijesinghage Chaminda Jayamini who works as a Master Mariner on Laugfs Maritime fleet vessels since 2016. I have started my carrier as a deck cadet officer of Goodwill Marine Academy after doing my advanced level exams at Ananda College Colombo in 1992.
After completion of my initial shore-based deck cadet training get on-board for sea training in 1993. After successful completion of my shore-based and on-board training, I have got through the Class-3 examination in 1997 then I join as a 2nd Mate in a foreign going bulk carrier. After gathering sufficient experience as a 2nd Mate, in 2004 I have gone through the relevant exams and training and obtain the Chief Officer certification and then in 2006 qualified as a Master Mariner.
In 2007 I have taken over my first command in a container vessel as a Captain and upon disembarkation from the container vessel, I have undergone with specialized training for LPG tankers sponsored by a foreign company called Stealth Maritime and got the command in LPG tankers in 2008. For almost eight years I have saved the world's largest LPG pressurized fleet and gather sufficient experience while trading around the world then join with the Sri Lankan company called Laugfs Maritime Services.
That is the fully Sri Lankan-owned company established in 2014 and at the time I join with them they are operating two pressurized vessels and plan to purchase the third vessel. Until I join the Laugfs Maritime Services, even though I like to share my talents, knowledge and experience with our mother nation, there is no opportunity for me as there is no LPG operator in Sri Lanka.
I am really thanking the Director / CEO of Laugfs Maritime Dr. Leslie Hemachandra who gives me such an opportunity to serve the fleet vessels distributing LPG around the world while showing our nation to the world with vessels flying under Sri Lankan flag. Moreover, I am really satisfied with the company to share my knowledge in order to bring the company to oil major's standards as well as the train our local crew officers for LPG operation.

After completing my secondary education at Thurstan College Colombo, I decided to become a seafarer & joined MSTI Galle in 1986. It was my passion to travel overseas & explore the world. Therefore I choose this field and fell in love with how ships work. As time went by, my adoration for the maritime industry grew day by day after obtaining the first COC in 1993, where I commenced my first sailing experience as Deck Officer.
In 1996, I had opportunity to sail under command of Capt. Sanath Munasinghe, who urge to complete my immediate ranking examinations. As a results, I went to Australia to get my second mate license in 1998. After sailing as a second officer for almost seven years. I decided to join CINEC Campus in 2008 to complete the chief Mate Exam. By that time, I was sailing in Gas Tankers with ALF Shipping and I found it quite fascinating.
During one of my vacation period, CEYLINE requested me to join with LAUGFS Maritime Services to deliver their first vessel “GAS CHALLENGER” in 2014 from MALTA to COLOMBO. I accept their request to join as Chief Officer with little uncertainty since it’s a company with ONE Ship. However, all my doubts were cleared in few days onboard with the way they treat the vessel & crew onboard. Now I find it a privilege to be serving in their fleet as one of the most senior mariner. Moreover, the company offer the Ship’s Command on their fleet as soon as I completed my Master’s in 2017. I am so proud as a team member of the first delivery vessel, to witness their growth of LAUGFS Maritime Services in SRI LANKA.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the top management of LAUGFS Group & the Director / CEO of LAUGFS Maritime Services for giving me the chance to be a part of growing cooperation in SRI LANKA.
Capt. Madura Silva

I joined the CINEC Maritime Campus, Colombo on 1995 to follow the Deck Cadet Training Programme as I have always been fascinated by internationally recognized challenging career at sea and the impact it has on the world we live in. Upon completion of phase one of the Programme, I was placed on Gas Tanker “ MT Teviot” owned by the British company “Gibson Gas Tankers” as Navigating Cadet, where I was privileged to train under highly competent & professional British & Sri Lankan Officers.
In 1999, I obtained my Certificate of Competency (COC) as Navigating Watch Keeping Officer and continued my sailing career on Gas Tankers with the same company as 3rd Officer, 2nd Officer and Chief Officer. I obtained Chief Mates COC in 2007 & Masters COC in 2012.
I pursued the parallel maritime academic career at CINEC Maritime Campus along with my sailing career. I worked at CINEC as a Lecturer for several tenures since year 2001 to 2016. I also functioned as a course coordinator, cadet training officer & in-charge of CINEC Branches at Jaffna & Trincomalee during that period.
I completed my BSc in Maritime Science (Dalian Maritime University) in 2012.
I joined the LAUGFS Maritime Pvt. Ltd. (LMS) which is one of the leading Gas Tanker owned & managed companies in Asia, as Chief Officer in 2016 through CEYLINE Shipping. I was promoted to Master in 2018 at this esteemed company LMS, which maintains the highest standards of an international gas tanker management company. I am much privileged to work under the most competent & professional senior management of LMS, where I function as acting DPA as well.

It was in the year 1982 when I joined a vessel for the first time as an ordinary seamen & I was promoted to the rank of Boson during the same tenure onboard on the very same vessel. As the years passed by and having been onboard on a few more vessels, I decided to take the next step in my career path. I completed my Class III examinations and joined a vessel for the first time as a third officer.
I joined the company, The Gibson Gas Tankers in the year of 1996 for the first time as a Gas Tanker Third Officer. It was a company of British officers from whom I learnt the ropes of the gas tank trade and operations. I had the opportunity of working on various types of gas tankers such as Semi- Pressurized, Fully Refrigerated, Fully Pressurized & Ethylene Carriers while working on my way up to the ranks and I was able to serve as a Chief Officer for Gibson Gas Tankers during my final contacts with them.
After serving Gibson Gas Tankers for many years, I joined as a Master for the first time with Selandia Shipping Corporation and soon after a few more years of service, I was joined with the Stealth Maritime and sailed with them for some more years of time as well.
Finally, in 2015 I joined a vessel of Gas Challenger owned by Laugf Maritme Services (Pvt) Ltd. It was then that I decided that Laugfs is the company I wanted to be in till I hung up my boots. It is with great pride that I work for Laugfs Maritime as the ownership & flag of the vessel is Sri Lankan. I have witnessed the Company’s growth and its increments of the vessel capacity to expand its territory in the Gas Trade of Sri Lanka. The working environment is at its excellence having fully Sri Lankan staff and utmost support is given from the Office ashore. It really feels like home onboard as we get to treat ourselves with our gourmet spicy cuisines.
The top management is extremely supportive of the crew’s career choices & developments, and they even released me temporarily to join a Very Large Gas Carrier to further expand my experience. Laugfs Maritime has trained and empowered many seafarers over the years and has become a hub for Gas Experienced Sailors which are very limited in numbers. Working for Laugfs has indeed been a pleasure to me and an icing on the cake to my career which expands over 40 years of my career life. I unequivocally believe that she will grow to her strongest and become a force to reckon with, if not already in the gas tanker trade in the years to come.

Though my ambition was to become an officer cadet in the military forces when I was schooling at Royal college, the circumstances did not permit me to enter into military services. But I managed to become an officer cadet in the merchant navy through “Goodwill Marine Academy” at Moratuwa (presently known as Lanka Academy) in 1991. Though I never had any idea of the nature of the job of a merchant sailor, I was keen in taking up the challenge just because I loved the uniform and the title of “officer cadet”.
After completing the preliminary studies at Goodwill Marine Academy, I joined for my first onboard training on a bulk carrier vessel. The time spent and the experience got in the first vessel is the one which remembers forever. I determined to climb up on the ladder to become a Captain one day and returned back to the academy to continue on further education. In 1996, I got through “Third officer level” and joined back onboard as a third officer and continued to sail as a third officer and second officer till 1999 on dry cargo vessels (general cargo, bulk carriers and containers). When it was right sea time for the Ch. /officer’s level I thought of taking up studies on a foreign academy and joined Glasgow Nautical College, UK (1999-2000) for Ch. /Officer Studies. Joined again South Tyne side College, UK for Master’s studies (2005) and received Higher National Diploma in Nautical studies (Master mariner- CLASS 1.)
The journey was too long and was difficult than anticipated. But it brought me a lot of thrill. Had experience many vessels, many companies, different sea conditions, different scenarios, different emergency situations, different people, I think in the end, a lot of experience. I got my promotion as a Master on 01.01.2007 and sailing as a Master ever since.
In 2008, again I got this opportunity to change over to “Gas carrier” vessels and it became a remarkable milestone in my sea carrier. I sailed on various gas vessels since 2008 to 2015 until I met our renowned local company “Laugfs Maritime”. When I joined in 2015, it was one year old and with one vessel “the Gas Challenger” and later expanded to 03 vessels
Within the Sri Lankan maritime community the demand for Laugfs maritime is very high and a lot of competition prevailed. So I extend my heartiest gratitude to the top management of LAUGFS Group and our Director / CEO for selecting me to their fleet, placing trust on me and handing over the command of their vessels. I feel really honoured to be a part of Laugfs Maritime team and I pledge to deliver my fullest corporation to the betterment of the company if ever asked “what is the best time I had during my entire carrier”, it is the time spent on my first vessel as a cadet and the time spent with Laugfs vessels.

I began my sea career after getting diploma at Technician Training Institute, Katunayake. My first role was that of an Engine Cadet at a foreign company. Since then I’ve made up my way through sea career step by step as a fourth engineer, third engineer and second engineer on various types of foreign vessels. All companies that I worked for were owned by foreign owners sailing under foreign flags.

In 2014, I was given a chance to take over a gas ship on behalf of LAUGFS, as a Chief Engineer, for whom I am very thankful for giving me such an opportunity.

In August 2014, I left to Malta with Capt. Anuradha Abeywickrama to take over the vessel, “Gas Puffer”. It was our first take over and it was huge task for me, my captain & for the company as well, to make it successful. Once we took over the vessel, first thing to be done was to change the name as “GAS CHALLENGER” and register it in Colombo, The first gas tanker to do so.

Then came the proud moment of hoisting the SRI LANKAN flag with the all the crew. It was a very remarkable moment in my life as it was the first time working under SRI LANKAN flag, in a SRI LANKAN company, owned by a SRI LANKAN, with a fully SRI LANKAN crew.

We sailed through Suez Canal with SRI LANKAN flag since a longtime and reached to Colombo with full load of LPG mix. We were warmly welcomed by LAUGFS Chairman, Managing director and other officials and that was the moment I felt that I was home with a promise to be treated as LAUGFS’s family.

It was dream come true for me. My dream was always to work for mother nation & on behalf of her future and through LAUGFS I have got a chance to take part in this perfect company to fulfill my dream. LAUGFS is found be giving help in hand to nation building and also as a company which take care of their employees far better than other private companies while protecting our country’s beauty and culture. On the other hand I get to work with fellow countrymen all the time and at least once a month. As the vessel calls Colombo we get a chance to see our loved ones regularly, which is not an opportunity that all seaman can have.

In October 2015, they gave me the opportunity to escort the second gas vessel, “GAS SUCCESS” along with Capt. Anuradha Abeywickrama. We had that same feeling as proud Sri Lankans while hoisting Sri Lankan flag and LAUGFS flag on our second vessel in Europe. It’s been years since I joined this company and I can say, the promises and support given by the company cherished me all along the past years and will for those yet to come.
I am delighted to play a part in creating history with LAUGFS Maritime Services, one of South Asia’s fastest growing maritime company in Sri Lanka.

After completing my Advanced Level successfully from Welimada Central Collage in Nuwara Eliya District, I was selected to University of Kelaniya. Leaving behind the opportunity of becoming a graduate from University of Kelaniya, I enrolled in the diploma course of Maritime Studies at the Institute of Technology, in University of Moratuwa. It was indeed a dream come true.
After the completion of my academic studies at the University, I started my sailing journey in 2006, as a junior engineer in a General Cargo vessel, holding a Diploma in Maritime Studies. Since then I have dedicated my career for “sailing” as a professional Marine Engineer onboard merchant vessels that span the Globe, which is indeed quite challenging at times, yet exciting beyond description.
After completing the class III certification in 2008, I continued my sailing career as a fourth engineer in LPG vessels in Stealth Maritime which is a world renowned Gas Tanker company. Subsequently I stepped through the ranks and attained the position of 2nd Engineer in the Stealth Maritime Gas Tanker fleet.
In 2014 , I was fortunate enough to receive an invitation from CEYLINE shipping, which offered me the golden opportunity of becoming a member of LAUGFS family, by joining their first vessel ’MT GAS CHALLENGER’. I was delighted and honored to serve onboard the first Gas Tanker vessel under Sri Lankan flag.
I successfully completed my Class I exam in 2016 and was subsequently promoted as a Chief Engineer in May 2017. I must admit that without the innumerable support and encouragement offered by LMS, my dream of becoming a Chief Engineer should have not been realized so quickly.
From the day I joined my first LAUGFS vessel, back in 2014, until this date I have happily rendered my service onboard all three vessels in the fleet and I look forward to continue as a member of LAUGFS family, joining hand in their journey towards success.
It has been my life’s honor to work under the patronage of Dr. Leslie Hemachandra, Director / CEO of LAUGFS Maritime Services. I wish to offer my heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Hemachandra and the top management of LAUGFS Group for the opportunity given to me, to be a part of this “home grown ship owning company” which has contributed immensely for the betterment of Sri Lankan shipping industry and to be a satisfied employee of your esteemed business establishment.

I am M.G.C. Sanjeewa, currently a Chief Engineer, would like to state my career path as below.
Soon after, I completed my secondary education at Dharmasoka College Ambalangoda. I was keen to find a path in technical background, since I was enthusiastic about improving my technical knowledge and showing my skills towards the technical side even at the school. Therefore, I joined CINEC as a trainee electrical officer in year1998 and served as electrical officer till 2007.
As mentioned previously due to high enthusiasm on technical matters, I decided to further improve my knowledge and skills. Therefore, I carried out further studies and obtained my class four COC in marine engineering and thereafter class three in 2008, class II in 2011 and finally achieved class I in 2015 Together with many years of experience on General cargo, bulk, container and offshore DP vessels.
Since 2016 I have been sailing as a chief engineer and served many vessels including bulk and gas carriers.
I have served for many reputed companies such as Mercantile Marine Management, Chuan Hup Offshore, Seaspan ship management, Swire pacific ship management and currently for Laugfs maritime services as chief engineer since 2017.
Additionally, became a Member of National Union of seafarers & Imarest as Incorporated Engineer-Engineering council in UK, and willing to serve further in future.
I assure that all above is true to the best of my knowledge.

I Kalumin M. Dushmantha employed through CEYLINE Shipping Ltd for the principals of LAUGFS Maritime Pvt Ltd capacity of Chief Engineer. As a chief engineer in gas tanker ships, and enjoy using my skills to contribute to the exciting Sri Lankan and World Maritime society with technical advancements happens every day.
I completed secondary education from Nalanda College, Colombo in 2000 and got my diploma in Marine Engineering from university of Moratuwa in 2006.
MV MED CARRARA, a bulk carrier was my vessel as engine cadet and got my first COC as EOOW in 2008 which led to work as 4th Engineer in Stealth Gas. I worked as an EOOW from 2008-2012. In 2013 I surpassed my second professional milestone and joined MV Industrial Headland, a heavy lift carrier as 2nd engineer. Ceyline Shipping Ltd, Laugfs Maritime PVT was the reason of my re-joining to gas carriers in 2015 as a 2nd engineer to take over their second vessel MT Gas Success. I enjoyed working as a 2nd engineer from 2013-2017. Finally I got my Class-1 COC in 2016 and joined as a Chief Engineer to MT gas Courage in Aug.2017. I work as a Chief Engineer for Ceyline Shipping Ltd, Laugfs Maritime PVT to the present.
Even though I work in gas carriers, I was fortunate to sail in OBO carriers, Ore Carriers, Crude tankers, Heavy Lift carriers and Container vessels all around the world with multinational crew.

After starting my carrier as an engineering cadet of CINEC it has been an enthralling journey where I had the privilege of sailing in various LPG tankers all around the world since 2006.
I joined Laugfs Maritime Service in 2015 as a senior engineer and it has provided me the pleasure of working with full Sri Lankan crew and an atmosphere where everyone is being treated with respect and professionalism. LMS has also addressed the potential shortage of competent Sri Lankan seafarers for LPG industry and widened the carrier opportunities. I do hope to continue as a proud partner of the future endeavors of Laugfs Maritime Service.

Since my early childhood I had two fascinations. I have always loved water and I was fascinated by rivers, lakes, oceans or whatever form or shape it comes. Then again I was always attracted and amazed by various kinds of machinery. I was always having an endless enthusiasm to know how things work. So when the time came to choose the path of my future career, I had no doubts whatsoever. As I had already decided to follow my passion and enthusiasm in whatever I do as my future career, my path was clearly laid out in front of me. So, Marine Engineering was an easy choice.
After completing Advanced Level exam successfully at Nalanda Collage, Colombo, I got the opportunity to enter the Institute of Technology at the University of Moratuwa as a candidate for the course of “National diploma in Technology” in the batch of 1993.
Just after obtaining the diploma in 1998, I was fortunate to get my first sailing experience onboard “MV Bombay Star” in SIM Lines as an Engine Cadet. Once I completed my cadet training, I appeared for the Class III –Certificate of Competency examination and became a fully qualified Marine Engineer. I got the opportunity to join my first Gas Tanker vessel “MT Sigloo Moon” in 2006 which was owned by Gibson Gas. Subsequently, while gaining more experience as an engineer in Gibson Gas and Thome Shipping Company, I completed my Class II and Class I examinations in Sri Lanka and became a proud recipient of a Sri Lankan license as a Marine Chief Engineer.
In January, 2016 I got the opportunity of joining LAUGFS Maritime fleet of Gas Tankers as a 2nd Engineer, which I delightfully accepted. Then I joined MT Gas Challenger and in July 2016, I was promoted to the rank of Chief Engineer. Since then I have served onboard all three vessels in LMS Gas Tanker fleet in the present rank.
Being a member of the LAUGFS Family, it has been a life changing experience for me. At LAUGFS I have unmistakably experienced the personal bonding and caring nature of a truly Sri Lankan ship owning company, when compared to foreign shipping companies which I have served through the years.
I would be failing my duty if I fail to thank Dr. Leslie Hemachandra, founder CEO of LAUGFS Maritime Services, whom all of us have looked up to as a mentor and the guiding force behind the success of the Company. Also let me express my sincere gratitude to the Top Management of LAUGFS Group for creating a safe haven for the Sri Lankan seafaring community and for creating the first ever fully Sri Lankan owned Gas Tanker fleet. Inception of LMS fleet has opened a gateway for numerous opportunities and new career prospects for the Sri Lankan seafarers which has undeniably strengthened the Sri Lankan shipping industry.