MR. SASANKA PERERA

Group Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Sasanka Perera holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Buckinghamshire New University, UK and he also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing, UK.

Mr. Sasanka Perera was appointed as the Group Chief Executive Officer on 15th November 2023. He is a prescient & Analytical Senior Sales and Customer management professional having over 21 years of experience in the Sales and Marketing arena with a wealth of knowledge in the fields of FMCG, Food and Beverages, having worked for Multinational Giants like Unilever Sri Lanka, Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka, and as the Head of Group Sales at Maliban Biscuit Manufactories (Pvt) Limited prior to joining Lanka Milk Foods to perceive a fantastic all-round exposure.

MR. W. A. DHARMATHILAKA

Group Chief Financial Officer

Mr. W. A. Dharmathilaka, FCA, is a distinguished financial professional with a proven track record in the food and beverage industry. He is a Fellow Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (FCA), solidifying his expertise in the financial field. His academic background is equally impressive, with a B.Sc. Business Administration (Finance) Special Degree from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Southern Queensland, Australia.

Mr. Dharmathilaka's career exemplifies a dedication to financial leadership. He serves as the Group Chief Financial Officer for Lanka Milk Foods (CWE) PLC, a role he has held since December 15th, 2019. He demonstrates strategic vision in this position by leading the company's financial operations. His experience extends beyond current leadership, with a noteworthy 14 years spent at Nestle Lanka PLC. He held the titles of Head of Commercial Control and Senior Financial Analyst there. During this time, he has refined his skills in financial forecasting, encompassing both business and corporate levels. Furthermore, his tenure at Nestle provided invaluable global exposure, allowing him to develop expertise in evaluating sales and marketing promotions while implementing cost-control measures. This experience culminated in a strong ability to navigate challenging situations, as evidenced by his successful management of new dairy farm projects and implementing cost-effective strategies at the farm level.

MR. K.L.W. HARISCHANDRA

Group Management Consultant / Head of Operations

Mr. K. L. W. Harischandra holds a BSc (Eng) Hons degree from the University of Ceylon. He completed his MSc in 1974 from Mie University of Japan under a Japanese Government Scholarship. During 1968 – 1969 he has been an instructor in the Faculty of Engineering, University of Ceylon, and a visiting lecturer at Kandy Technical College.

In 1969, Mr. Harischandra joined the government/corporate sector at the Plywood Corporation, seconded to service by the Ministry of Industries under the Public Service Commission, where he succeeded from Mechanical Engineer to Production Manager, Chief Factory Manager, and Assistant General Manager (Factories). There, he was involved in constructing and installing the woodworking complex at Salawa and was in charge of all units under the corporation.

He served as the Government Consultant to the Ministry of Industries from 1979 to 1980, coordinating the activities of Prima Trincomalee with the Ministry and the Government Agent (Trinco) during the construction Period.

Mr. Harischandra joined Lanka Milk Foods Group in 1983 as the Operations Manager and with his vast knowledge and experience in the sector, he thrived as Director Operations and Management Consultant for LMF Group.

He served as the Project Head for the construction, installation, and operation of Lanka Dairies and APL Ambewela Products manufacturing plants under BOI approval and served as the Project Advisor/Coordinator for the United Dairies Lanka project.

MR. R.N. ATTYGALLE

Director Farms

Mr. Attygalle is the Director - of Farms of Lanka Milk Foods (CWE) PLC Group, working for Ambewela Dairy Farms Complex at Nuwara Eliya. He has been working for the farms since the takeover in 2001. Prior to working for the farms, he was the Finance Manager of Lanka Milk Foods Group since 1991, when LMF was privatised. Before that Mr. Attygalle has been working for Lanka Milk Foods since 1983 as Management Accountant. He is 3 parts qualified in the Charted Institute of Management Accountants of the UK in 1968. Also, he is fully qualified Associate of Accounting Technicians in 1969.

Immediately before LMF, he worked for the Dutch Company Ballast Nedam as Chief Accountant and Administration Officer. After a span of 7 years in Jeddah, he worked as Accountant for the internationally famous GAC company of Saudi Arabia. Prior to his spell abroad, he was the Deputy Finance Manager of the Paddy Marketing Board of Sri Lanka, covering the districts of Polonnanruwa, Anuradhapura, and Thangalle from 1971 to 1975.

MR. J DU PLESSIS

Dairy Consultant

Mr. Jacques du Plessis joined the LMF Group in 2018, for the formation of two new UDL dairy farming facilities in Ambewela and Pattipola. Mr. Du Plesis possesses over twenty-six years of high-tech dairy experience. He is the former owner and consultant of a South African dairy farm which was one of the top 10 Dairy Herds, milking over 2000 cows in a fully automated rotary parlour that supplied milk to Nestle.

With his experience, Mr. Du Plesis possess the expertise in successful set up of dairy farms and his current responsibilities include overseeing both UDL projects including recommissioning of APL Farm, milk production and feed management, systematic herd management, overlooking herd breeding programs and artificial insemination, staff training and management, semen selection, veterinary protocols and treatments, vaccination programs, and day to day oversight of all farm activities. Over the years he has provided immense support and guidance to reach a milk production of 51000 liters per day at peak production with an average of 31.5 liters per animal in line with the milk production goals and aspirations of the Group.

MR. A.M.S. BANDARA

General Manager – Farms

Mr. Sarath Bandara is a skilled professional agriculturist with a successful career in local and international dairy farming spanning over 46 years. This experience includes 35 years in mega dairy farm project management. He possesses expertise in modern high-tech dairy farming practices and a proven track record managing large-scale operations. Since 2001, he has provided leadership to the Ambewela dairy complex of LMF, overseeing all five dairy farms.

Mr. Bandara currently serves as the President of the Large Dairy Farm Association of Sri Lanka, demonstrating a strong commitment to the industry's advancement.

MS. HEMANTHI BULATHWATTE

Company Secretary / Chief Legal Officer cum HR & Administration Manager

Ms. Hemanthi Bulathwatte was appointed to Lanka Milk Foods Group on 01st Augutst 2016 and she is an Attorney at Law with a career span of 21 years in the fields of Litigation, Company Secretarial, Notary Practice, and Labour Regulatory Compliance. She holds post-attorney qualifications from the Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka and the University of Colombo on Banking and Commerce and Human Resource Management Law. She was trained in Corporate Management in Japan as a member of the Japan Sri Lanka Technical and Cultural Association.

Prior to joining the Lanka Milk Foods Group, Ms. Hemanthi had developed experience working in different sectors of the profession, such as Litigation Lawyer at Paul Ratnayake Associates, Functioned as the Registrar at National Asset Management, Registrar for DFCC Bank and Lanka Hospitals, and NDB Bank Panel Lawyer.

MS. RUWANI DIAS

Group Head of Marketing

Ms. Ruwani Dias assumed duties as the Group Head of Marketing from 1st November 2023. She holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM), University of Jayawardanapura. She also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing, UK.

Ms. Ruwani Dias has more than 20 years’ experience in the field of marketing holding many senior leadership roles in Multinationals like Unilever as well as local conglomerates. She has vast exposure handling brands covering FMCG, Telco, Paints & Stationary categories.

She is a highly experienced, successful, and well-regarded marketer who has spearheaded many successful marketing initiatives and innovations, gaining significant experience in marketing spanning over 20 years. Prior to joining the LMF group of companies she worked at Unilever, Dialog, ICL Marketing, JAT, Atlas & George Steuarts.