Kelani Valley Plantations PLC (KVPL), a regional plantation company and part of Hayleys Plantations, has appointed industry veteran Senaka Alawattegama as Director and Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 August.

Alawattegama has also been appointed as a Director to DPL Plantations (Pvt) Ltd., Kelani Valley Resorts (Pvt) Ltd., Mabroc Teas (Pvt) Ltd. and Kalupahana Power Company (Pvt) Ltd. in the past.

With over 40 years of experience in the plantation sector, Alawattegama began his career at the Sri Lanka State Plantations Corporation before joining Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC (TTE PLC) at its inception.

In February 2020, he was appointed Director and CEO, leading the company towards sustainability, market growth and operational efficiency.

He currently serves as Deputy Chairperson of the Colombo Tea Traders Association, member of the Committee of Ceylon Tea Road Map 2030, as well as the Committee of Management of the Estate Staffs’ Provident Society.

He is a Past Chairperson of The Planters’ Association of Ceylon, and a former Board Member of the Sri Lanka Tea Board, a former Board Member of the Rubber Research Institute, a Fellow of the National Institute of Plantation Management, Sri Lanka (FIPM) and holds an MBA from the London Metropolitan University, UK.

Under the leadership of Dr. Roshan Rajadurai and Alawattegama, KVPL aims to further strengthen its market presence, elevate product excellence and drive innovation, while continuing to create shared value for stakeholders.