Appointments & Executive Moves
View all(31)📈 Yasas Hewage Appointed as New IDB Chairman
Yasas Hewage assumed duties as the Chairman of the Industrial Development Board (IDB) on June 1, 2026, taking the helm of Sri Lanka's premier enterprise development institution during its 60th anniversary year. • Leadership & Background: Hewage brings nearly 20 years of experience across banking, finance, business strategy, and entrepreneurship development. He previously served as Private Secretary to the Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development and held leadership roles at HSBC and NDB Bank focusing on SME business development and transformation. • National Initiatives: He serves on key national bodies, including the SME Nexus Initiative, the National SME Strategy Framework Development Team, and the team supporting the establishment of the proposed Entrepreneurship and Industry Transformation Authority (EITA). • Strategic Vision: Hewage emphasized driving a new era of industrial excellence for Sri Lanka by blending the country's manufacturing heritage with modern technology, innovation, and sustainability to foster SME growth and economic transformation.
HNB Appoints Three New Members to Board of Directors 📈
Hatton National Bank PLC (HNB) has announced three key appointments to its Board of Directors effective 1 June 2026, strengthening its corporate governance and shareholder representation. • Key Board Appointments: • Lahiru Malik Lokuwithana joins as a Non-Independent/Non-Executive Director. He represents Ceylon Steel Corporation Ltd., which holds HNB's largest voting stake at 9.99%. He is the Managing Director of Ferentino Tyre Corporation. • Murtaza Jafferjee joins as an Independent/Non-Executive Director. He is the CEO of JB Securities Ltd. and Chairman of the Advocata Institute, bringing 30 years of capital market experience. • Rachini Rajapaksa joins as an Independent/Non-Executive Director. She has over 30 years of experience in fund management and finance, and serves on multiple boards, including the Sri Lanka Accounting and Auditing Standards Monitoring Board. • Economic Impact & Diversification: The new appointees bring extensive leadership from vital economic sectors driving Sri Lanka's diversification, including manufacturing (steel, cement, and tyres), financial services, public policy, and capital markets. Their expertise aligns with national priorities like export-led growth, risk management, and institutional governance. • Current HNB Board Lineup: The board continues to be led by Suresh Shah (Chairman) and Damith Pallewatte (MD/CEO), alongside eight other directors.
🚀 Webxpay Appoints Denver Lewis as CEO & Executive Director
Sri Lankan fintech and digital payment solutions provider Webxpay has announced the appointment of Denver Lewis as its Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, effective June 2026. He has also been appointed to the company’s Board of Directors. • Strategic Leadership: Lewis will lead Webxpay’s next phase of innovation, market growth, and regional expansion, strengthening the company's corporate governance framework. • Extensive Experience: He brings a track record in banking, payments, business process management (BPM), customer service, and international corporate management. • Global Exposure: Lewis has held senior leadership and board-level roles across Sri Lanka and multiple global markets, including the US, Canada, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Europe. • National Impact: Webxpay continues to enable secure digital commerce across multiple sectors, supporting Sri Lanka’s ongoing digital transformation agenda and the advancement of the digital economy. Lewis holds a Doctorate, an MBA, and professional credentials in Banking and Finance, Human Resource Management, and Management.
📦 Rooso Ramachandran Appointed as Global CEO of EFL Global
EFL Global, a leading global supply chain and logistics solutions company and member of Japan’s SG Holdings Group, has announced a key leadership transition to strengthen global integration and execution across markets. • New Leadership: Rooso Ramachandran has been appointed as the new Global Chief Executive Officer. He brings 24 years of institutional experience within the company, having successfully built EFL Global’s India business into a highly profitable operation. • Proven Track Record: Ramachandran previously spearheaded commercial development and operations, expanding capabilities across high-growth verticals including pharmaceuticals, automotive, and perishables. • Global Footprint: The company operates through more than 100 offices across 39 countries, providing integrated services in transportation, warehousing, distribution, customs brokerage, and compliance. • Strategic Focus: Under the new leadership, the company aims to stabilise performance, sharpen organizational alignment, and position its global network for sustainable, long-term growth.
📋 Govt. Appoints Committee to Review State Enterprise Manpower Recruitment
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a committee to recommend reforms for regulating manpower agency employees within State-owned enterprises (SOEs). • Core Issue: State enterprises have increasingly relied on external manpower agencies for temporary workers in core operations. Many remain long-term without job security, statutory benefits, or proper legal recognition. • Labour Rights Violation: Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa noted the practice departs from the basic labour concept of "equal pay for equal work." • International Standards: Reforms are necessary to safeguard worker welfare and align Sri Lanka with the International Labour Organization (ILO) Private Employment Agencies Convention. • Expected Outcome: The committee will submit recommendations on required legal and regulatory changes, specifically focusing on safeguarding the interests of long-serving manpower employees in State enterprises.
📈 Dr. Rohitha Silva Appointed FCCISL President
• New Leadership: Dr. Rohitha Silva has been appointed as the President of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL), an apex business body representing 63 chambers, trade associations, and private-sector stakeholders nationwide. • Economic Context: The appointment comes as Sri Lankan businesses, particularly SMEs, navigate post-crisis recoveries involving foreign exchange shortages, inflation, high finance costs, supply chain disruptions, and labor shortages affecting daily operations and employment. • Executive Profile: Dr. Silva brings over 35 years of private-sector experience. He is the Chairman and Managing Director of idac Ltd and has held multiple leadership roles within FCCISL, including Board Member, Vice President, and Strategy Committee Chairman. • International & Regional Roles: He currently serves as the Vice President of the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry and previously served as the President of the Asia Pacific Trade Agreement Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Beijing. • Strategic Focus: His tenure is expected to focus on driving Sri Lanka's private-sector-led economic recovery by supporting crisis-affected businesses, building operational resilience, and strengthening regional and national trade linkages.
📈 New Director General of Commerce (Actg.) Assumed Duties
Career commercial diplomat Somasena Mahadiulwewa has officially assumed duties as the Acting Director General of Commerce at the Department of Commerce (DoC), Sri Lanka. • Key Appointee Profile: Brings over 24 years of public service experience at the DoC, specializing in foreign trade policy formulation, international trade negotiations, and commercial diplomacy to drive export growth. • Global Experience: Served in diplomatic postings in the UK, Italy, Japan, and South Africa. He has represented Sri Lanka at WTO Ministerial Conferences and contributed heavily to Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations and trade remedies. • Academic Background: Holds a BSc in Management (Public) from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and a Masters in Economics from the University of Colombo. He is currently pursuing a PhD focusing on FTAs and export diversification.
📈 HNB General Insurance Appoints Dilshan Perera as Chief Operating Officer
• Strategic Leadership: HNB General Insurance (HNBGI) has officially appointed Dilshan Perera as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO) to drive its strategic transformation agenda. • Proven Track Record: Prior to this appointment, Perera served a successful three-year tenure as the Chief Transformation Officer at HNBGI, where he integrated innovative technologies to shape a future-ready insurance enterprise. • Extensive Industry Experience: He brings over 20 years of expertise spanning Strategic Management, Digital Transformation, Marketing, and Sales. His career includes leadership roles across Sri Lanka's insurance, banking, and telecommunications sectors, including positions at Dialog Axiata, InsureMe.lk, HNB Assurance, DFCC Bank, and Ceylinco Life. • Academic & Professional Credentials: Perera holds an MBA from PIM (University of Sri Jayewardenepura) and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Kelaniya. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (FCIM – UK) and a Life Member of the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing. • Corporate Outlook: Executive Director/CEO Sithumina Jayasundara stated that Perera's depth of digital and operational leadership will be invaluable in steering operations, driving innovation, and delivering value to stakeholders during this growth phase.
📈 Dilrukshi Kurukulasuriya Joins Colombo Dockyard Board
• Colombo Dockyard PLC has appointed Dilrukshi Kurukulasuriya as a Non-Executive Independent Director, strengthening its corporate leadership. • She brings over 25 years of diverse experience in human capital development, having worked across various industries and organizational structures. • Currently, she serves as the Executive Director and Chief Human Resources Officer of DIMO PLC, where she was the first woman appointed to its Board of Directors since joining in 2008. • Her professional background includes being a qualified Attorney-at-Law, holding an Executive MBA from the University of West London, and completing specialized training in gender studies through the ILO’s International Training Centre. • Known for elevating HR practices, her focus remains on inclusive talent development, vocational pathways, and increasing women’s participation in the workforce—key pillars for corporate governance and employment equity within Sri Lanka's industrial sectors.
📈 Hassan Kassim Joins Ex-Pack Board
Ex-Pack Corrugated Cartons PLC has appointed Hassan Kassim as a Non-Executive, Non-Independent Director to its Board, bringing extensive cross-sector expertise to the packaging leader. • Strategic Leadership: Kassim serves as the Deputy Chairman and Group Director of Aberdeen Holdings Ltd., a major diversified conglomerate. He plays a key role in driving long-term strategy and governance across sectors including aviation (FitsAir), logistics (Fits Express), and consumer wellness (Baraka). • Export & Insurance Expertise: He is the Founder and Director of Expo Commodities Global Ltd., an award-winning spice exporter. Additionally, he serves as the Managing Director of Amana Takaful PLC, where he was recognized as the "Young Leader" at the 26th Asia Insurance Industry Awards (AIIA) 2022. • National Impact: His experience spans crucial economic pillars for Sri Lanka, including global commodities, logistics, and financial services, focusing on institutional excellence and disciplined corporate growth.
📈 Dr. Saman Mahawatta Appointed CEO of Prime Constructions and Prime–Melwa Port City
Prime Group has strengthened its leadership by appointing Dr. Saman Mahawatta as Director/CEO of Prime Constructions Ltd (PCL). He will also be seconded as CEO of Prime – Melwa Port City Ltd, driving two of the group's most strategic real estate & infrastructure ventures. • Executive Profile: Dr. Mahawatta brings three decades of construction and development sector experience. He previously held senior leadership roles at Maga Engineering (Pvt) Ltd, overseeing landmark local and international projects. • Strategic Focus: The appointments aim to accelerate growth and innovation within Sri Lanka's built environment, specifically targeting the real estate future of the Port City development. • Qualifications: He holds a PhD in Construction Management, three First-Class Honours Degrees (Civil Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Business Administration), and three Master’s Degrees. He is a Chartered Quantity Surveyor, Civil Engineer, and PMP Certified Project Manager with fellowships across 16 professional institutions.
📈 Lanka Hospitals Group MD Chaaminda Kumarasiri Steps Down
• Executive Transition: Chaaminda Kumarasiri has stepped down as Group Managing Director of The Lanka Hospitals Corporation PLC effective 14 May 2026. He will continue to serve the company as a Non-Executive Director. A new Group CEO was also appointed effective 4 May 2026. • Historic Performance: Appointed in June 2025, Kumarasiri led the healthcare provider to its strongest financial and operational performance since inception, driving operational efficiencies and structural stabilization despite a challenging sector environment. • Strategic Roadmap: During his tenure, the company developed "HEARTS 360," a comprehensive five-year strategic roadmap for future growth, which was recently presented to the Deputy Minister of Finance and the Secretary to the Treasury.