In June 1972 18 persons of Senior Executive level in the field of Purchasing and Materials Management in Government Departments, Defence Services, State Corporation and leading Mercantile Firms met to discuss the establishment of an Institute to foster the professional development of the Purchasing and Supply Function in Sri Lanka.

On 24th October 1972 the Institute of Supply and Materials Management was established, thus fulfilling a long felt need. The Institute was ceremonially inaugurated with a well attended seminar in early 1973 at the Auditorium of the Central Bank by the then Minister of Foreign and Internal Trade.

It was registered as a company under section 19 of the Companies Ordinance in 1978 with the Registrar of Companies.

The Institute was admitted a Member of the Organization of Professional Association of Srilanka in 1976 and has its registered office in the OPA at No. 275/75, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, (Prof. Stanly Wijesundara Mawatha) Colombo 7. This Institute was incorporated by Parliament by Act No. 3 of 1981.

The ISMM is a member of the International Federation of Purchasing & Materials Management, Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (UK) and the National Association of Purchasing Management (USA) and The Association of Management Development Institutes of South Asia and Networking Institute of Management Sri Lanka (Under the aegis of Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration.)

Presently the Institute consists, of 21 Fellow members, 417 Corporate members, 226 Associate members 6 Institutional Members making a total of 670 professionals spread over the Public and Private sector under-takings, Industry and Commerce.

From the very inception the main thrust of the Institute's activities has been the training of supplies personnel at all levels. Training started at the grassroots level. Over 10,000 Stores personnel including Store Keepers and Stores Managers and over 660 Officers engaged in Shipping and Wharf work, Imports and Exports trade have successfully undergone training so far. In order to service the training needs of the higher echelons in the Purchasing and Materials Management field in public and private sector undertakings, industry and commerce, the Institute launched a fully fledged professional course leading to the award of the Diploma in Purchasing and Materials Management.

The demand for Institute's course is steadily increasing. The Institute regularly carries out seminars, workshops to familiarize members with the latest developments in techniques, skills and concepts in order to update their knowledge and upgrade their performance.

Purchasing and Materials Management is a fast developing field of Management having a major influence on economic development and trade both at domestic and international levels. The impact of P & MM will be felt in all activities and no institutions could carry on with its activities devoid of material resources. As a result the role of P & MM is assuming a strategic role for the progressive development of the country.

In recognition of the increasingly crucial role played by the P & MM profession the Department of Public Administration by its circular No. 46/09 (1) of 20.06.94 has given full recognition to the corporate membership of ISMM which recognized as equivalent to a 2nd class honors degree relevant to the field of Supply and Materials Management awarded by a recognized university.

• Diploma in Purchasing & Material Management (Traditional Class Based)

Institute of Supply and Materials Management
No:275/75,
Prof. Stanley Wijesundara Mw
Colombo - 7
Sri Lanka

TP: 94-11-2555562, 94-11-5835928
Fax: 94-11-2584302
Email : ismm@gmail.com

Web:http://www.ismmsrilanka.com