Features

Life and Times of Sumi Moonesinghe, business leader extraordinaire

Published

5 years ago

2022/01/9

This is the Afterword of Sumi Moonesinghe’s just-published biography written by Shehara de Silva herself an accomplished business executive

Fire & Ice

It was possibly a little after midnight, at the Supper Club. Circa 1991. It was the year Rajiv Gandhi was killed, the Hubble telescope was launched, and I met Sumi.

Sumi was there with Susil and mutual friends Badra and Kokila Wimalasekera. One of them introduced me to Sumi. By the end of the evening, between the dancing and the drinks, she hired me as her Marketing Director for Jones Overseas. That typifies Sumi. When needed, she can be like quicksilver, decisive and fast to assess a situation. She never walks away from closing a deal, whatever the context.

Anchor — a global case study

Her capacity to make strong and gut decisions are rarely capricious. Her mind has a clarity of purpose. She knows what she wants and she goes for it.

It was a fascinating juncture in her leadership and relationship with the New Zealand Milk Board. Anchor in Sri Lanka was already running in pole position – 70% market share with an 18 % price premium, the only country in the group at that time where Anchor had ousted the world’s biggest food company. Nestle. Nestle, on the other hand, was throwing everything and the kitchen sink at her to oust Anchor. Nestle had entered Sri Lanka in 1906 and was a 100-year-old heritage brand.

Nestle added 26 vitamins into its local Nespray, hired high-powered lobbyists, developed salacious campaigns about contaminated milk, and ran mega ad budgets on a ridiculous value proposition that “Local cows have better grass fodder than New Zealand!” It was, in fact, a classic panic reaction of how not to fight a market leader.

Sumi was unfazed. She had a knack of finding the right people for the right job – this was her ‘A team’. She trusted them, empowered them and resourced them.

Mehra Abeygunawardene’s meticulously executed sales strategy became the playbook for the Middle East and Asia. JoJo Kanjirath had made Anchor the country’s biggest milk brand and Sumi had a brilliant stroke of intuition in backing Rosy Senanayake (who became Mrs. World). She positioned her as the face and mother figure, retaining her across time which showed her ability to stay the course, despite her legendary impatience. She knew if something was working well, not to change it. It’s a fine line, but business acumen is founded on timing and Sumi knew when to move and when to hold on and milk an opportunity. Pun intended!

Unconsciously, they had stumbled upon the fact that the masses believed that Rosy’s fairness came from drinking Anchor, and though at no point did the messaging ever state this, the subliminal correlation stuck. Coupled with a constant messaging of quality premium value and that ‘mother knows best,’ Anchor was the poster brand for brand building.

Sumi then took one of those courageous calls so rare amongst business leaders. To do the morally right thing and not fret the business impact, she partnered UNICEF on a public awareness series conceptualised by Shaan Corea, commissioning the country’s first public service awareness campaign on the importance of breastfeeding and neonatal tips for mums. It was another stroke (unintended perhaps but spot on) of marketing brilliance.

It was a double whammy. Rupavahini gave her free prime time exposure that far exceeded her production costs, achieving huge brand saliency. The consumer trusted the brand because it told them the right thing – breastfeed as long as you can. And they remembered with gratitude the multitude of tips they got in their early postnatal days and migrated in the six months or first year when mother’s milk was no longer available.

It was around this time that I entered the business. Anchor was already a well-established market leader and she took another risk, by deciding to grow the market in a generic ‘Drink more milk’ campaign. Marketing textbooks would advise against generic market development campaigns by premium segment players with a dominant market share (Anchor’s 70% as price leader was itself a market anomaly).

Theory said this strategy would grow competitor share at the bottom end. Never one to fear the path less travelled, she threw the rule book out and backed a campaign that grew the market for the lower masses. The highly-creative cartoon-style milk campaign ended up sweeping the SLIM Campaign of the Year Award and the Effies.

Anchor’s brand building success will certainly go down in the annals of local marketing case lore, and in Fonterra’s case its global strategy, as a benchmark. I recall Unilever Brands Director Amal Cabraal asking me to send him a case study on Anchor that he could highlight at a Unilever global conference. We were a small country but we were the pole star. Sumi was treated like royalty by the main Board of Directors of New Zealand Milk Products (NZMP), all of whom were her friends by now. There was deep and abiding respect and trust.

In the meanwhile, The Maharaja Group, which owned the franchise, acquired the Pepsi franchise. Jones Overseas, under Sumi, oversaw and funded the Pepsi sales force until it got on its feet. Various other distractions were tossed in – a cough syrup and a cookie business from Australia to boot. She succesfully brokered a joint venture with New Zealand Milk, and Jones Overseas which was renamed New Zealand Milk Products Pvt. Ltd (NZMP).

Around this time, Sumi raised her game. She decided to grow the lower end of the market with the introduction of Ratthi, a risky move that stretched the trust of the New Zealanders. It is a testament to the faith they had in her that they let her get away with it.

To differentiate and consolidate the new brand and ensure there was no cannibalization from Anchor, Sumi needed a rear guard attack on Lakspray. She brought in a UK-manufactured milk powder which had 26% milk fat (less cream, less quality) to attack the number two value leader Lakspray. Lakspray was a leader in the tea and coffee segment at a different price point.

She had initially decided to push it unbranded to tea and coffee shops in plain foil packs. It failed to gain traction. This was the juncture at which I entered the business. I asked her if she had the guts to go the whole hog and really build a new market segment rather than try a covert unbranded attack. She didn’t flinch or waver, but flagged me on. Thus, Ratthi was born. Today, it has totally ousted Lakspray, dominating this segment.

In the interim, she decided to extend the Anchor brand architecture into related dairy categories. She began drawing plans to introduce yoghurt and butter lines and constructed a factory, doing it in record time. This once again, became a blueprint for NZMP and Fonterra, the umbrella corporate brand name that New Zealand Dairy Board used in other parts of Asia. She eventually facilitated a complete acquisition of NZMP by Fonterra in 1996, making it a full multinational, and the Maharaja Group exited the business.

The philanthropist and friend

I had been with her under two years when I needed to leave Sri Lanka and support my husband who was taking up a posting in Kuala Lumpur. Sumi was sad to see me go at such a critical juncture. But she was ever so supportive, offering to open many doors with her legion of contacts in the region.

This again was one of Sumi’s most defining features. Her largeness of heart and spirit. I saw her offer an entire sugar trading business, which was immensely lucrative, to one of her Anchor team salespersons. Her cup was overflowing; she had made enough. So she gave that business away, lock, stock and barrel for love and friendship – with nothing expected in return.

Most recently, I was with her one day when a call came through; Teddy, one of her old team members, had had a heart attack and needed urgent surgery. She called his daughter and said, “I’m transferring a million rupees, get the surgery done.” She saved his life.

Decades on, she crossed over from Singapore especially to meet me in Kuala Lumpur. She heard I had hit one of those rough patches. My husband was tail-ending a long battle with Alzheimer’s, my youngest was doing her A/Levels going to one of the most expensive British schools in Kuala Lumpur, my son was at university in London, and although I had a plum job as Country Head of Interbrand, the world’s premier brand consultancy.

I was faced with a moral dilemma. There was some distrust that had developed between the local equity partner, the Chinese entrepreneur and Group Chairman who had brought me into Malaysia and his Regional Director and JV partner. It was a typical multinational strategy of playing around with transfer pricing, keeping most of the business within the Singapore and Japanese regional offices. I had decided to leave rather than be disloyal to my former boss. However, my daughter’s education was being paid for by the company and pulling her out of school could jeopardise her A/Levels.

I had bounced my concerns off Sumi; as a former boss she knew that loyalty scored high in my playbook. In her characteristically generous and impulsive style, she came over from Singapore and told me, “Never fear the future. Don’t worry, this will pass. You will fly high again. I admire what you are doing for your husband and holding the family together.” She left me an envelope, making me promise not to open it until she left.

In it, was a note which said: “Consider this a belated thank you for helping me on my journey towards success. With love and gratitude,” and a cheque covering an entire year of my daughter’s schooling! What was amazing was not that she offered to pay the fees, but her sensitivity to my pride and ego, framing it as a reward for work done. In fact as I tried to return it, she blithely said, “Think of it as a delayed bonus!”

(Shehara de Silva is a Non-Executive Director of Keells Food and the former Marketing Director at New Zealand Milk Products (Sri Lanka).

(To be continued next week)

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Features

Complexities in global politics deepen as economic pressures intensify

Published

15 hours ago

2026/08/27

Sahan Weerasooriya

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham meets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv. (BBC)

The present offer by the UK to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities in the missile technology field in particular comes as ‘a stitch in time’ and the initiative is also likely to be appreciated considerably by democratic opinion world wide for the possible morale-boosting effect it would have on Ukraine. Besides continuous arms support, the conviction that the world’s frontline democracies are behind it would prove a huge plus in Ukraine’s eyes in its grinding fightback against the Russian invasion.

While continued US support for Ukraine could not be considered ‘a given’ any more, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s words during a recent visit to Kyiv that the UK would stand by Ukraine ‘for as long as it takes’ is the kind of assurance that Ukraine needs at present. For, the conflict in Ukraine is essentially a war of liberation conducted by the latter against an invader and deeply at issue here is the upholding of International Law and its foundational concepts, such as national sovereignty and a nation’s right to political self-determination. The world of democracy is of the firm view that the latter ideals cannot be compromised, come what may.

The UK has its work cut out in this connection. It would find it difficult to convince the Trump administration that it should staunchly stand by Ukraine but it could campaign vigorously with the rest of the West and the EU fold in particular to unflaggingly support the embattled and over-run country.

Ukraine has shown an impressive adeptness in using drone technology in particular against her enemy and has even manufactured her own hardware in this respect but using the relevant blueprints handed over by the UK for the manufacture of more sophisticated cruise missiles, for instance, may prove financially difficult, going forward. It is left to be seen whether the UK and the rest of the West who are with Ukraine will continue to be with her, considering their own rising financial constraints.

The latter impediments could only multiply in the future. Oil, gas and energy prices are on the rise and the latter costs are glaringly reflected in kitchens and meal tables the world over. As we go along consumer discontent would steadily intensify and governments, East and West, would need to figure out with considerable rigour and foresight how such disaffection could be ably managed. Failing which, in most democratic societies, the chances are that publics would be out on the streets demanding that their grievances be redressed forthwith.

These rising concerns are reflected in a recent move by some EU governments to consider imposing what is described as ‘a windfall tax’ on the profits specified major oil companies operating within their shores have made in the wake of the US-Israel war on Iran. The rationale apparently is to use such tax earnings to cushion the rising cost of living of their publics and bolster the respective countries’ social expenditure.

In a recent letter to the president of the EU Council the EU governments referred to said, among other things, while drawing attention to the ‘discontent that is growing over the rising cost of living’: ‘A common approach’ is needed that ‘ensures those who profit from the crisis contribute their share to reducing the burden on the general population.’ Meanwhile, Oxfam with reference to the above development is on record as calling for a ‘permanent windfall tax of at least 50% on profits exceeding a 10% return on investment.’

Such are the rising economic pressures on the majority of Western governments. The question to be posed is how consistent they would be in their assistance to Ukraine if they decide consensually to stand by her. The soaring cost of living in the West compels the conclusion that there could be no guarantee that Western assistance to Ukraine, particularly in the defense and security fields, would be of a longstanding kind.

Of particular concern would be the fact that the weapons systems on offer from the UK to Ukraine could be increasingly costly to manufacture going forward. Besides they would need to be manufactured and put into action without delay.

However, these considerations should in no way deflect Ukraine’s supporters from the principled policy stance of defending her to the extent possible. Because at issue is the defense of International Law and the democratic system of government from their enemies; fascism and authoritarian rule.

While during World Wars 1 and 2 the US was with the major democracies of the West, this time around with regard to Ukraine, the US has chosen to be at cross-purposes with them. For instance, in relation to tariff matters and defense expenditure, in the NATO context, the US is pursuing a hard line which puts it at polar opposites with the West. Thus it is no longer possible to talk unreservedly of a ‘Western democratic alliance’. Put plainly, the cause of democratic development has been weakened.

A measure of relief for the supporters of Ukraine in the West could come by way of the upcoming mid-term polls in the US. If the Democratic Party fares well in them the pressure would be on the Trump administration to defer to opposition opinion at home, accommodate the best interests of Ukraine in its West European policy and perhaps even work towards a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine crisis in cooperation with Russia. Accordingly, the Democratic Party would need to put the Trump administration on the defensive, so to speak.

Until such time Ukraine’s Western supporters have no choice but to remain committed to it, ensure its steadfast defense against the invasion and work judiciously towards keeping the economic pressures at home in check.

Interestingly, at the present juncture in international politics the US could be said to be more weak than strong. For example, it has to some extent been militarily humbled by Iran; so much so it is resorting to economic means to keep Iran in check.

In keeping with this strategy, the US has launched ‘a new big wave of anti-Iran economic sanctions’ at the time of writing, aimed at cutting Iran away from all its major income sources. Some of these relate to digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping. The hoped for result is the complete severance of Iran from the US dollar system.

However, while the UK and EU have no choice but to adhere to their policy of backing Ukraine, going forward they would need to dialogue more closely with the US and ensure that it cooperates with them on outstanding questions, such as Ukraine and the strengthening of democracy. The well being of the world is served when the latter aim is pursued.

Features

“Envisioning Sri Lanka: Beyond Recovery”

Published

15 hours ago

2026/08/27

Sahan Weerasooriya

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya opening the event

OPA 39th Annual Conference calls for Sri Lanka to move Beyond Recovery towards Sustainable Transformation

The Orgnisation of Professional Associations (OPA) successfully concluded its 39th Annual Conference, held recently at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo, under the theme “Envisioning Sri Lanka: Beyond Recovery”.

Held under the patronage of Jayantha Gallehewa, President of the OPA, with the leadership and guidance of Tisara De Silva, President-Elect and Chairman of the 39th Annual Conference, the Conference brought together leading professionals, academics, business leaders and representatives of the public and private sectors to deliberate on Sri Lanka’s next phase of national development.

The Inaugural Session, on August 2026, was graced by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, as the Chief Guest; Andrew Patrick, British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, as the Guest of Honour; and Murtaza Jafferjee, Chairman of the Advocata Institute, Sri Lanka, as the Keynote Speaker.

In her address, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasised that overcoming the economic crisis alone should not be Sri Lanka’s ultimate objective, stressing that recovery must serve as the foundation for a broader economic and institutional transformation necessary for sustainable national progress. Reflecting on the difficult period experienced by the country, the Prime Minister noted that Sri Lanka had faced significant economic, social and institutional challenges, which had weakened public confidence and created uncertainty about the country’s future.

She stressed that “recovery only provides the foundation” and that Sri Lanka can move forward sustainably only by using that foundation to bring about meaningful transformation.

The Prime Minister observed that the theme of the OPA’s 39th Annual Conference, “Envisioning Sri Lanka: Beyond Recovery,” aptly encapsulated these national aspirations. She emphasised that Sri Lanka’s objective should not merely be to return to the conditions that existed before the crisis, but to forge a stronger national foundation characterised by robust institutions, a resilient economy, high-quality public services and an enabling environment in which every citizen has the opportunity to thrive.

She further underscored that Sri Lanka’s future development cannot be secured through economic growth and physical development alone. She emphasised that the effective mobilisation of the country’s knowledge, skills and professional expertise, is equally essential to achieving sustainable and inclusive national progress

The Technical Sessions held on 12 August 2026 brought together 19 distinguished experts and professionals representing academia, industry, banking and finance, public health, technology, management and business leadership. Their diverse expertise provided a multidisciplinary platform to examine the critical challenges, emerging opportunities and strategic choices that will shape Sri Lanka’s next phase of development, with particular emphasis on economic transformation, institutional strengthening, digitalisation, private-sector growth, human capital and sustainable development.

The deliberations were structured around four principal sub-themes: “Resilient Recovery and Sustainable Economic Development”; “Future Readiness: Innovation & Transformation”; “Policy for Impact: Advancing Equity, Sustainable Living, and National Well-Being”; and “Leadership, Governance and National Responsibility.”

Across these thematic areas, the sessions explored the structural reforms, institutional requirements and policy choices necessary to move Sri Lanka beyond economic stabilisation towards a more productive, competitive, resilient and inclusive economy. The discussions brought together diverse professional perspectives, enabling participants to examine national priorities through economic, technological, industrial, financial, social and governance lenses.

Particular emphasis was placed on the need to move beyond the diagnosis of problems towards pragmatic, evidence-based and implementable solutions. The deliberations recognised that sustainable national progress requires not only sound policies, but also effective institutions, professional competence, innovation, responsible leadership and the capacity to translate policy into tangible outcomes.

The sessions further underscored the importance of collaboration across sectors, recognising that Sri Lanka’s complex development challenges cannot be addressed in isolation. Stronger engagement among Government, private sector, professional associations, academia and civil society was identified as essential to fostering a coherent national response and ensuring that professional knowledge and expertise are effectively translated into policy and action.

Collectively, the Technical Sessions provided a substantive platform for knowledge exchange, critical reflection and forward-looking dialogue, reinforcing the OPA’s commitment to bringing the country’s professional expertise to bear on the task of building a resilient, innovative, equitable and prosperous Sri Lanka.

The OPA expressed its sincere appreciation to Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, the Chief Guest; Andrew Patrick, British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and Guest of Honour; and Murtaza Jafferjee, Chairman of the Advocata Institute, Sri Lanka and Keynote Speaker, for their distinguished contributions to the Conference.

Much of what the 39th Annual Conference achieved would not have been possible without the leadership, commitment and generous contributions of Jayantha Gallehewa, President of the OPA; Tisara De Silva, President-Elect and Chairman of the 39th Annual Conference; Eng. Ravi Rupasinghe, General Secretary; Dharshana Wijemanne, Treasurer; Bhanu Wijayaratne, Convener & the Chairman of the Session Planning Committee of the 39th Annual Conference Committee, Past Presidents and Office Bearers; Presidents and representatives of Member Associations; members of the Executive Councils and General Forum; and the distinguished Session Chairmen, Resource Persons and professionals who shared their time, expertise and insights in pursuit of the Conference’s shared vision. The OPA remains immensely grateful to all those whose collective contributions enriched the 39th Annual Conference and strengthened its role as a meaningful platform for professional exchange, informed dialogue and national reflection.

Features

Nostalgia for Lankans in Toronto …

Published

15 hours ago

2026/08/27

Sahan Weerasooriya

‘Avurudu Musical Show 2027,’ a uniquely styled musical Avurudu celebration … Ceymphony Band style.

For Sri Lankans living 14,000 kilometres from home, the sound of home has never felt closer — and that’s thanks to one man and his band.

Since stepping into the spotlight, Gamini Hemalal and the Ceymphony Band have turned into the heartbeat of the Sri Lankan community in Toronto.

Their mission is simple: bring the music, bring the memories, bring the people together. And it’s working.

What turned out to be the talk-of-the-town was their intimate musical evening with Sri Lanka’s legendary crooner Sohan Weerasinghe.

Sohan Weerasinghe: Had
everyone on their feet at the
Angus Glen Golf Club, in
Toronto, Canada

It was a ‘full house’ long before the big date. Tickets vanished within days — demand was that overwhelming.

According to those who were there, it was a truly amazing evening. The hall was packed, the energy electric. Sohan didn’t just sing — he owned the stage.

With his velvet vocals, his charm, and that signature style, he had everyone on their feet. The ladies, especially, couldn’t get enough. No wonder they call him “The Ladies’ Man!”

One attendee summed it up perfectly:

“We had so much fun. It is truly a blessing to have our kids around us, enjoying these beautiful moments together. Thank you, Gamini Hemalal, for such a wonderful evening, with an amazing crowd and an incredible atmosphere. Your hard work and dedication truly made it a special night.

“We also need to say a big thank you to the Ceymphony Band for delivering such an outstanding performance. You all were absolutely amazing! Our entire family had a fantastic time, and we truly enjoyed every moment.

Ceymphony Band: Extremely popular in the scene in Toronto

“Wishing you all continued success. Keep up the amazing work, we can’t wait for the next.”

And the next is already on the cards: ‘Halloween Pissu Baila Party 2026,’ on Friday, 30th October, at the famous Angus Glen Golf Club.

Gamini promises a crazy night of baila, music, dancing and Halloween vibes with the Ceymphony Band. Action runs from 8:00 PM to 12:00 midnight, with plenty of prizes to be won.

Gamini Hemalal: Amazing work for the Sri Lankan community,
in Toronto, Canada

Gamini is also putting together a special event, connected with the 2027 Avurudu celebrations — ‘Avurudu Musical Show 2027,’ a uniquely styled musical Avurudu celebration … Ceymphony Band style.

It’s scheduled to be held on Saturday, 10th April, 2027, also at the Angus Glen Golf Club.

Through music, Gamini Hemalal and Ceymphony are doing what diaspora bands do best — they’re shrinking the distance between two worlds.

One baila beat at a time, one full house at a time, they’re making sure that even in Canada, Sri Lankans feel like home.

Yes, there is plenty of action, indeed, for the Sri Lankan community in Toronto, Canada.