Connect with us

Business

‘Malin Gunatilake – A Rare Gem’

Published

on

I first got to know Malin briefly in early 1987, before he left for Malaysia, when I had just been posted to the Sri Lanka State Plantations Corporation (SLSPC) Regional Office in Ratnapura.

Although we had only recently got to know each other, I fondly recall how he would seek me out at my office whenever he visited Sri Lanka on leave. He never failed to bring me a gift from Sabah, Malaysia where he was working. That was the kind of man Malin was—thoughtful, generous, and considerate.

It was much later, around 2002/2003, when Malin was the Secretary General of the Planters’ Association (PA) and I was the Chairman, that I had the opportunity to get to know him much more closely.

During this period, the PA was preparing to celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2004. I recall Malin telling me about the importance of celebrating this remarkable milestone. At the time, I was unsure how we could possibly stage such an event, given that the PA did not have the necessary financial and management resources.

Malin, however, took full responsibility. He assured me that we would pull it off, and he did exactly that. Through his determination and remarkable ability to bring people together, he found sponsors and well-wishers and succeeded in staging the anniversary celebrations in grand style.

The participation of delegations from both United Planters of South India (UPASI) and Incorporated Society of Planters (ISP) – the Malaysian Planters Association was particularly significant and quite rare. Even today, many people remember and speak about those memorable 150th anniversary celebrations.

After completing my tenure as Chairman of the PA, I unfortunately did not have the opportunity to meet Malin as often as I would have liked. Nevertheless, I will never forget the support he gave me during my tenure, particularly during what was a very challenging period. Malin had a wonderful ability to get along with everyone and to bring people together.

Much later, it gave me immense pleasure and honour to be invited by the Colombo Tea Traders Association (CTTA) to read the citation recognising Malin’s contribution to the CTTA at their AGM in July 2025. Sadly, that was to be my last meeting with him.

I was deeply sorry that I could not be present to pay my last respects to Malin, as I was overseas when he passed away.

Malin was a man I always admired for his honesty, strong values, and forthrightness—qualities that are increasingly rare today. I feel privileged to have known him and to have had the opportunity to call him a friend.

My deepest condolences to his wife Charmo and daughter Chemali and son Himesh on their very sad loss. May his soul rest in peace, and may his memory live on in the hearts of all those who admired, respected, and valued his friendship.

God’s blessings on him and
his family. 
Rohan M. Fernando



Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Business

Business, economic heavyweights converge in Colombo

Published

on

Senior business leaders, economists and international development experts, alongside the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, will headline the Sri Lanka Economic & Investment Summit 2026, organised by The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce on 12 and 13 October at the Shangri-La Colombo.

The Summit will open with a keynote address by T. Krishnakumar, Chief Executive Officer, Reliance Consumer Products Ltd, who brings more than four decades of experience in the consumer brands and FMCG sectors. Having previously served as President of Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia, with extensive experience in building businesses and driving growth across emerging markets, Krishnakumar, more popularly known as Kk, now leads Reliance Consumer Products as it expands across categories and builds new customer, partnership and market opportunities.

Day 2 will bring together four international perspectives across discussions on economic resilience, regional connectivity, sector growth and digital transformation.

Lilia Aleksanyan, Senior Country Economist for Sri Lanka at the Asian Development Bank, will open the day’s discussions with a focus on Sri Lanka’s economic resilience. Her work covers the country’s macroeconomic outlook, policy advice and macro-fiscal and financial-sector reform. Her international policy experience also includes roles at the French Ministry of Finance and the French Central Bank.

The Summit will then turn to Sri Lanka’s connections with regional markets, with P. D. Singh, Chief Executive Officer, India & South Asia, Standard Chartered Bank, delivering the keynote for the session on trade corridors and value chains. Singh counts close to three decades of experience in banking and finance, with senior leadership roles spanning Standard Chartered, JPMorgan Chase Bank and HSBC.

The Sector Deep Dives will bring international perspectives to discussions on healthcare and energy.

Tushar Shroff, Chief Financial Officer, Zydus Lifesciences Ltd, will deliver the keynote for the healthcare discussion, drawing on more than three decades of experience in corporate finance, strategic investment and financial transformation. His career spans senior finance and leadership roles with ABB, Piramal Healthcare, Intas Pharmaceuticals and Vedanta Group, giving him a broad perspective on the business and investment decisions shaping the healthcare sector.

For the energy-focused deep dive, Edore Onomakpome, Regional Infrastructure Industry Manager for Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal at the International Finance Corporation, will bring extensive experience in infrastructure investment and project finance across emerging markets. Since joining IFC in 2013, she has held senior roles across Africa and South Asia, including managing IFC’s infrastructure portfolio across 16 countries.

The Summit will conclude its keynote programme with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who will deliver the keynote for “Nation Building in the Digital Age.” The Prime Minister also oversees the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, bringing a direct policy perspective to discussions on digital transformation, innovation, education and the skills needed for a changing economy.

Together, these perspectives will bring regional, international and policy insight to SLEIS 2026 as Sri Lanka considers how to strengthen economic resilience, attract investment, deepen regional connections and develop new sources of growth.

Held under the theme “Positioning Sri Lanka in a Changing Global Economy: Resilience, Reform, and the Future of Economic Policy,” SLEIS 2026 will take place on 12 and 13 October 2026 at the Shangri-La Colombo.

The Sri Lanka Economic & Investment Summit 2026 is supported by its valued sponsors and partners. Platinum Sponsor – Standard Chartered Bank Sri Lanka, Gold Sponsor – VISA Worldwide (Pvt) Ltd., Bronze Sponsor – South Asia Gateway Terminals (Pvt) Ltd., Strategic Development Partner – Asian Development Bank, Telecommunication Partner – Dialog Telecommunication, Television Partner – Dialog Television, Session Sponsors – David Pieris Motor Company (Pvt) Ltd., Hemas Holdings PLC, Sunshine Holdings PLC, International Construction Consortium (Pvt) Ltd., Microsoft Sri Lanka (Pvt) Limited, Official Logistics Partner – Hayleys Advantis Limited, Official Airline – SriLankan Airlines Ltd., Official Hospitality Partner – Shangri-La Colombo, Airline Partner – China Eastern Air Holding Co. Ltd.

Registrations for SLEIS 2026 are now closed. The Ceylon Chamber looks forward to welcoming participants to the discussions on Sri Lanka’s future trajectory on 12 and 13 October.

Continue Reading

Business

Commercial Bank launches ‘Prestige’ banking for HNW clients

Published

on

Sharhan Muhseen, Chairman of Commercial Bank flanked by Sanath Manatunge, Managing Director/CEO and Hasrath Munasinghe, Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer at the launch of Commercial Bank Prestige Banking

Commercial Bank of Ceylon has launched ‘Prestige’, a three-tier banking proposition aimed at high-net-worth (HNW) clients, combining wealth management, advisory services and lifestyle benefits.

The initiative replaces the bank’s existing ‘Elite’ private banking brand with Ruby, Sapphire and Diamond tiers, designed to cater to customers according to their wealth profiles and banking relationships.

The bank said Prestige would provide dedicated relationship managers, priority branch services, preferential rates on loans and deposits, enhanced card privileges, family banking programmes and offshore account solutions.

Its wealth and investment management services include access to capital-protected income solutions, dual-currency investments, institutional deals and estate and portfolio governance.

Clients will also have access to specialist financial and corporate advisory services, including assistance with international relocation, overseas property and capital repatriation.

The programme includes lifestyle benefits such as VIP airport lounge access, travel concierge services, property management and medical coordination, as well as access to selected art and culinary events.

The bank said its flagship Prestige banking residence at R.G. Senanayake Mawatha, Colombo 07, had been refurbished, with the service to be extended to other economically important cities.

Commercial Bank Managing Director/CEO Sanath Manatunge said Prestige was intended to support customers in managing their wealth, business interests, family needs and long-term legacy.

Existing Elite clients are being transitioned to the new programme, the bank said.

Continue Reading

Business

Ceylinco Life rewards 80 sales achievers with overseas tours

Published

on

Ceylinco Life has rewarded 80 members of its sales force with overseas tours to Vietnam and China for their outstanding performance in the company’s 2025 sales competitions.

The group comprised 62 sales achievers who travelled to Vietnam and 18 who visited China.

The Vietnam tour included visits to Hanoi’s Ho Chi Minh Complex, One Pillar Pagoda, Tran Quoc Pagoda and Hoan Kiem Lake. The group also travelled to Ha Long Bay, where they went on an Aurora Cruise and explored attractions including Sung Sot Cave, Luun Cave and Titop Island.

The tour also featured a sunset party aboard the cruise, with music and refreshments.

The 18 achievers who travelled to China visited several of Beijing’s major historical and cultural attractions, including Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace. They also took a boat ride on Kunming Lake.

A highlight of the China tour was a visit to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, including a round-trip cable car ride. The group also attended an acrobatic show at Chaoyang Theatre and visited the Panda Garden at Beijing Zoo.

The company said the tours were organised to recognise and reward sales personnel for their performance and achievements.

Continue Reading

Trending