Business

DSI Samson Group appoints prominent legal professional Uditha Egalahewa as chairman

Published

3 years ago

2023/04/28

Uditha Egalahewa Chairman

DSI Samson Group, one of the leading business conglomerates and leading manufacturer of footwear and bicycle tyres in Sri Lanka, ceremonially inducted President’s counsel Uditha Egalahewa as the Chairman of the Group on 24th April 2023. He is one of three Independent Non-Executive Directors of the Group and also served as the Chairman of the Group’s Risk Management Committee for the past five years.

Egalahewa is a leading practitioner in Public Law and Commercial Law, with over 32 years of experience at the Bar. He has served as a Senior State Counsel and as a Counsel in both original and appellate courts dealing with various areas of law and is a senior visiting lecturer at several academic and professional organizations. Egalahewa has published over 40 academic publications and made over 30 public presentations on topics relating to law. In addition to his legal practice, Egalahewa currently serves as an Independent Director in several Companies, both listed and unlisted. He holds a Masters in Law (Public Law) (LLM) from the University of Colombo, a second Masters degree (Maritime and Shipping Law) (LLM) from the International Maritime Law Institute of Malta, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Insurance Law from the University of Colombo. He was awarded the Professor Walter Muller Prize for his outstanding performance at the International Maritime Law Institute.

As Chairman, Egalahewa will harness his vast experience and knowledge to lead and guide DSI Samson group, which celebrated its diamond jubilee last year. The Group, which over the years has expanded and diversified into many businesses beyond its core footwear business, is now managed by the 3rd generation family members of founder Chairman, the late D. Samson Rajapaksa. The appointment of Egalahewa is expected to further strengthen the Group’s corporate governance and strategic decision-making and help drive growth and success in the years to come.

Egalahewa expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead such a successful and diverse conglomerate while emphasizing his commitment to advancing the Group’s ambitious development plans by working closely with the Board and Stakeholders to achieve continued success. “As the new Chairman of DSI, I am honoured to lead a company with such a rich history and a strong legacy of success. I believe that the key to success is collaboration, and I am excited to work with the talented and experienced team at DSI Samson Group to drive innovation, improve efficiency, and enhance our competitiveness. Together, we will continue to grow the company and create value for all our stakeholders,” he added.

Mr. Kasun Rajapaksa, Managing Director of DSI Samson Group stated that the 3rd generation board members are strong believers of the fact that in order to establish a system aimed at spanning generations, one must be willing to evolve. The Board has now appointed its first ever non-family, non-executive independent director as the Group Chairman for this reason.

“We believe that bringing outside experience and knowledge to Chair the Group along with the other Independent Non-Executive Directors will further enrich and strengthen the Group’s corporate governance. Someone from outside the family will inevitably possess a neutral perspective and will uphold the best interests of the shareholders, employees, customers, and the entire organization. The Chairman’s independence means they are not impacted by internal or external forces, and the Board can leverage that centred approach to reach informed decisions.” he added.

DSI Samson Group is a leading Sri Lankan business conglomerate, with a rich history spanning over 60 years. The company is renowned for manufacturing high-quality footwear and bicycle tyres while diversifying into rubber products, solid tyres, coir products, clay roof tiles, bikes, synthetic leather and many more products. The Group consists of many sectors such as Manufacturing, Engineering, Power Generation, Trading, IT, Shipping and Logistics to name a few.

The Group has a vast global reach, exporting to over 40 countries and enjoying a retail presence in Dubai with its premium flipflop brand – Waves. The Group also represents international brands such as Clarks, Reebok, Puma, Fila, Adidas, Asics and U.S. Polo, in Sri Lanka. The Group currently comprises of 23 subsidiaries that serve local and international markets, with over 200 showrooms and 5,000 dealers across the island. It is one of the largest family-owned groups of companies in Sri Lanka. The group prides itself on being a responsible corporate citizen, undertaking numerous projects that benefit the local community, and demonstrating its commitment to social responsibility. With a dedicated workforce of over 10,000, strong business ethics, and a customer-centric approach, DSI Samson Group is positioned as a leading player in Sri Lanka’s business landscape.

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Business

SLEIS 2026 to examine Sri Lanka’s energy transition and its implications

Published

15 hours ago

2026/09/26

Thilina Walpola

Reliable and affordable energy is essential to Sri Lanka’s economic growth, industrial development and competitiveness. As the country seeks to strengthen energy security while reducing its dependence on fossil fuels, the energy sector will be a key area of discussion at the Sri Lanka Economic & Investment Summit 2026, organised by The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce on 12-13 October 2026.

The session, “Beyond Fossil Dependence: Balancing Security, Sustainability, and Growth,” will examine how Sri Lanka can diversify its energy sources, accelerate renewable energy adoption and attract investment while ensuring a reliable energy supply for businesses and households. Discussions will also consider the infrastructure and policy frameworks needed to support the country’s transition towards a modern and competitive energy system.

Ms. Edore Onomakpome – Regional Infrastructure Industry Manager – Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal, at the International Finance Corporation will keynote the session, and join the panel discussion featuring G.M.R.D. Aponsu – Secretary to the Ministry of Energy, Damitha Kumarasinghe – Director General (Chief Executive Officer), Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka, and Manjula Perera – Managing Director, WindForce PLC. The discussion will be moderated by Sheran Fernando – Senior Advisor, Plus94.

The session will also explore the role of public-private collaboration in developing new energy solutions, encouraging investment and creating opportunities within Sri Lanka’s evolving energy sector. It will consider how energy policy and investment decisions can support both economic expansion and the country’s longer-term sustainability objectives.

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., 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 are now open at https://sleis.chamber.lk/. For more information, contact Alikie on 011 558 8805 (alikie@chamber.lk) or Shanuka on 0701082541 (events.division@chamber.lk).

Business

A fresh chapter for the George Keyt Foundation: A renewed commitment to the Sri Lankan art ecosystem

Published

15 hours ago

2026/09/26

Thilina Walpola

The George Keyt Foundation (GKF), dedicated to preserving the legacy of modernist painter George Keyt and fostering local art, has announced strategic appointments to its leadership team, bringing together a mix of global academic expertise, corporate leadership, and artistic passion. These enhancements aim to inject fresh expertise and academic depth into the Foundation’s long-term vision.

Establishment of the New Advisory Committee

To broaden its operational reach and deepen its engagement with the global art market, the George Keyt Foundation has established an Advisory Committee. The newly appointed committee members include:

• Dr Sujatha Meegama is a Senior Lecturer in Buddhist Art History at the Courtauld. She is an acclaimed art historian, author and academic, bringing specialised knowledge in South Asian art history to guide the foundation’s curatorial and educational directives.

• Dr Shamil Wanigaratne: A clinical psychologist, author, and avid art historian, Shamil will lend his unique perspective to help the foundation design meaningful public outreach and cultural preservation strategies.

• Abbas Esufally: A veteran corporate leader and patron of the arts, Abbas is transitioning from his role as a GKF Trustee to this advisory position, where he will continue to offer his sharp business acumen and extensive network.

New Trustee Appointment

Leesha Captain has been appointed to the Board of Trustees. Inspired by Sri Lankan artists, Leesha is a recognised supporter of the local art scene. Leesha’s hands-on perspective will strengthen the foundation’s core team as they develop and design new art programs.

A Vision for the Future

“These new appointments mark an exciting chapter for us as we build on our decades-long history of promoting Sri Lankan artists,” says Malaka Talwatte, Chairman of the Foundation. “The combination of Leesha on the board, alongside the diverse expertise of our new Advisory Committee, will significantly amplify our efforts in curating high-profile exhibitions and expanding local and international partnerships”.

Business

Sun Siyam Pasikudah celebrates World Tourism Day with culture, cuisine and community

Published

15 hours ago

2026/09/26

Thilina Walpola

Sun Siyam Pasikudah, part of the Privé Collection under Maldivian-owned Sun Siyam Resorts, will mark World Tourism Day on 27 September 2026 with a full day programme celebrating the culture, cuisine and natural beauty of Sri Lanka’s east coast, paired with community focused sustainability activities.

The celebrations open with a special buffet of authentic Sri Lankan cuisine, followed by a street food festival showcasing regional snacks and traditional sweets rarely found on resort menus. A signature World Tourism Day mocktail and cocktail, created for the occasion, will be served through the day, while traditional Sri Lankan cultural dance performances bring the island’s heritage to life for guests.

Beyond the festivities, the resort has planned a tree planting activity with guests and a beach or park clean up campaign, both reflecting Sun Siyam Pasikudah’s ongoing commitment to responsible tourism along Sri Lanka’s northeast coast.