Our Team

Board of Directors

NIRAJ DE MEL
CHAIRMAN

Mr. De Mel commenced his career at Forbes & Walker Limited and has over 40 years of experience in the tea industry. He is the Founder/Director of The Mel’s Ceylon (Pvt) Ltd.

He was the former Managing Director of Hayleys Global Beverages (Pvt) Ltd, Vanrees (Ceylon) Ltd and Bosanquet & Skrine Ltd. He was also the Chief Operating Officer of C.S. Asia Teas (Pvt) Ltd and a former Director of Mabroc Teas (Pvt) Ltd.

He was a former Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tea Board and the Tea Exporters’ Association. He was also the Chief Executive Officer of the Tea Association of Sri Lanka and In-Country Manager of Ethical Tea Partnership (ETP), UK.

AJITH FERNANDO
DIRECTOR

Mr. Fernando is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, UK and holds an MA in Financial Economics from the University of Colombo. He founded Capital Alliance in the year 2000 and currently functions as group MD/ CEO. Prior to this he has worked with some of the leading financial institutions in Sri Lanka and has over 25 years experience in the money and capital markets.

WARUNA DE SILVA
MANAGING DIRECTOR

He has over 20 years of experience in Tea broking. Joined Ceylon Tea Brokers in 2008 and was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company on 01st May 2017. Holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK. Completed an Executive MSc in Supply Chain Management, an Executive MSc in Human Resource Management and an Executive MSc in Project Management from Asia E-University Malaysia. A passed finalist of CMA Australia. Completed Executive education on Strategy and Leadership from Wharton Business School Philadelphia (USA) and holds the ADP Certificate. Completed Executive education on Strategy & Entreprisewide Transformation from Rice University Texas (USA) & MIT Sloan School of Management, Boston (USA). Doctor of Business Administration candidate at University of Kelaniya.

DINESH FERNANDO
DIRECTOR / CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Mr. Fernando holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Colombo and Bachelor of Arts (HONS) degree in Business and Marketing from Coventry University, UK. Further, he is an Affiliate member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), UK and a Member of the Association of Business Executives (MABE), UK.

He joined Ceylon Tea Brokers in 2016 as a General Manager and was appointed as an Executive Director in 2019. Prior to joining the company he functioned in the capacity of a Senior Manager at Mercantile Produce Brokers Ltd. Fernando has over 20 years of experience in tea broking.

THILINA NONIS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Mr. Nonis commenced his career at Somerville & Company (Pvt) Ltd and later worked for Asia Siyaka Commodities PLC and Bartleet Produce Marketing (Pvt) Ltd. He has been with Ceylon Tea brokers since 2006 and was appointed as the Head of Marketing of the company on the 1st April 2017. Mr. Nonis has over 18 years of experience in tea broking.

ZAMEEL MOHAMED
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Mr. Mohamed holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the London Metropolitan University, UK. He joined Ceylon Tea Brokers PLC in 2018 as a Senior General Manager and prior to joining the Company he worked at Bartleet Produce Marketing (Pvt) Ltd. Mr. Mohamed has over 19 years of experience in tea broking. Mr. Mohamed is currently the “Tea Convener” of the Tea Sub-Committee of the Colombo Brokers’ Association.

CHRISANTHA PERERA
DIRECTOR

Associated with the Tea Industry for over 60 years. Retired as Chairman/ CEO of Forbes & Walker Ltd in 2005 after serving for 44 years. Served as Chairman of Ceylon Tea Brokers PLC till Aprill 2022 and continues to serve as an Independent Non-Executive Director.
Presently serves on the Boards of two Plantation Companies and their respective holding Companies as well as other public listed and private companies. Director of Logicare (Pvt) Ltd.
Previous Appointments as Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tea Board, Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation Ltd., Public Enterprises Reform Commission and Bank of Ceylon. Served as an Appointed Member of the Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

SHIROMAL COORAY
DIRECTOR

Ms. Cooray is the Chairman and Managing Director of Jetwing Travels (Private) Limited – one of the leading inbound/outbound travel management companies in Sri Lanka. She is also the Chairman of Jetwing Hotels Limited, the premier hospitality brand of Sri Lanka, that owns and manages 30 hotels and 10 villas in Sri Lanka. With diverse experience in a number of industries, Ms. Cooray also holds 18 other directories in hotels, finance, investment banking, commodity brokering and advertising and PR agencies.

Hailing from a background in finance and management, Ms. Cooray holds a Master in Business Management from the University of Colombo, is a Fellow Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, UK, and a former Finance Director of J. Walter Thompson Ltd (Colombo) along with work experience in the UK and Hong Kong. She is the past Chairman of the Sri Lanka Institute of Directors (SLID), and past President of the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO). Ms. Cooray is an Independent Non-Executive Director of Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC.

SHARMALI PERERA
DIRECTOR

An Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, UK. Mrs. Perera has been with Capital Alliance Limited since its inception in 2000, and has over 20 years experience in the financial services industry. She is the Chief Risk Officer of the Capital Alliance group and a Director of Capital Alliance Securities (Pvt) Limited, Capital Alliance Investments Limited and the Lanka Swift User group.

MIHIRINI DE ZOYSA
DIRECTOR

Dr. Mihirini is a practitioner-scholar with a strong academic background in organizational change and responsible business, holding a Doctorate from Ashridge School of Business and Middlesex University, along with postgraduate and undergraduate degrees from leading UK universities. She brings extensive cross-sector experience spanning healthcare, finance, technology, apparel, hospitality, and international development, including work with the United Nations and World Bank. She currently serves as Founder Director of Corporate Druids (Pvt) Ltd and as a Non-Executive Director across multiple organizations.

AMRAH AKBAR
DIRECTOR

Amrah is a senior business and marketing leader with an Oxford PPE background and Chartered Accountant qualification, complemented by executive training from Stanford. Currently serving as Business Director for Marketing and Business Development at MAS Active, with prior board-level experience across technology and plantation sectors in the US and Sri Lanka. Brings a strong blend of strategic thinking, financial acumen, and global governance experience.

BESHAN KULAPALA
DIRECTOR

Dr. Beshan Kulapala is an electrical engineer and technology entrepreneur with a PhD in Electrical Engineering, an MBA, and an MSc from Arizona State University, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky. He is the Co-Founder and CEO of Volt Charge Sri Lanka and Cyrus EV Chargers, and serves as Chairman of the Sarva Medical Clinic. Previously, he co-founded and directed Vega Innovations, where he launched key technology brands including Chargenet—Sri Lanka’s largest EV charging network—and Aigrow, and has also held leadership and board roles at CodeGen and Trace Expert City.

Other Key Personnel

THARAKE NILAWEERA
GENERAL MANAGER - TEA

Joined Ceylon Tea Brokers in March 1995 as a Tea Executive and was subsequently promoted as Manager Tea. Tharake is a fully Conversant Auctioneer Broker with over 20 years of experience. He has also worked previously at Forbes &Walker Tea Brokers(Pvt)Ltd.

DEEMANTHA EKANAYAKE
SENIOR MANAGER TEA

He joined Ceylon Tea Brokers in 2018 and has over 6 years of experience in Tea broking. Prior to joining us, he was working for Asia Siyaka Commodities PLC.

HARSHANA PERERA
SENIOR MANAGER – TEA

Joined Ceylon Tea Brokers in 2015 as an Executive – Tea. Prior to joining us, he worked for Mercantile Produce Brokers Ltd. He has over 10 years of experience in Tea broking.

THENUKA KARUNASENA
MANAGER – TEA

Joined Ceylon Tea Brokers in 2016 and has over 7 years of experience in Tea broking.

SAVEEN MARIO
MANAGER - TEA

Joined Ceylon Tea Brokers in 2017 and has over 6 years of experience in Tea broking.

SHAVEENDRA HETTIARACHCHI
SENIOR ASSISTANT MANAGER – TEA

Joined Ceylon Tea Brokers in 2021 and has over 7 years of experience in Tea broking. Prior to joining Ceylon Tea Brokers, he worked at Mercantile Produce Brokers (Pvt) Ltd as an ‘Executive – Tea’.

SADHANANTHAN SHIVANI
SENIOR ASSISTANT MANAGER - TEA

Joined Ceylon Tea Brokers in 2019 and has over 8 years of experience in Tea broking. Prior to joining us, she was working as a Secretary at Lanka Commodity Brokers Ltd. She holds a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the SNC University, Switzerland.

SADHANANTHAN SHIVANI
SENIOR ASSISTANT MANAGER - TEA

KASUN SENEVIRATHNA
MANAGER FINANCE

Kasun holds a Bachelor’s degree in business Administration (Special) from University of Colombo and he is currently studying for Chartered Accountants (SL) final exams. He is also a passed finalist of Association of Accounting Technicians of Sri Lanka (AAT). He worked as an Accounts Executive at Hapugastenne Plantations PLC before joining Ceylon Tea Brokers in 2015. He has over 8 years of experience in the finance field.

SENURI DE SILVA
ASSISTANT MANAGER FINANCE

Senuri holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Colombo. She also holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University – Japan.

She is also a member of CIMA Sri Lanka.

Prior to joining Ceylon Tea Brokers PLC, she worked as a Specialist Group Corporate Finance at Dialog Axiata PLC.

INDIKA ABEYRATHNE
ASSISTANT MANAGER FINANCE

Indika joined Ceylon Tea Brokers in 2010. Prior to joining the company, he functioned in the capacity of Accounts Executive at Lanka Bell (Pvt) Ltd.

He holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Finance & Strategy from CA Sri Lanka. He is also a member of the Association of Accounting Technicians of Sri Lanka (AAT).

THILINI SUBASHINI
ASSISTANT MANAGER FINANCE

Thilini holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Finance from the University of Colombo. She is currently reading for a Master of Science in Financial Mathematics from the University of Colombo.

She joined Ceylon Tea Brokers in 2016 and prior to joining the company she functioned as a Finance Executive at Sintesi Limited.

NISHAN ABEYGUNAWARDENA
SENIOR MANAGER OPERATIONS

Nishan holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the Birmingham City University, UK. He joined Ceylon Tea Brokers from Somerville & Co. (Pvt) Ltd. as a Cataloguing Officer in 2007 and was subsequently promoted as a Manager in 2016. Nishan has an experience of more than 18 years in the tea trade.

DARSHANI PERERA
ASSISTANT MANAGER CATALOGUING

Darshani joined Ceylon Tea Brokers in 2018 and prior to joining the company she functioned as a Senior Executive at Lanka Commodity Brokers Ltd.

She holds about 20 years’ experience in tea cataloguing.

MADAWA JAYARATNE
MANAGER SAMPLE ROOM

Joined Ceylon Tea Brokers in 2014, having last served at Forbes & walker Tea Brokers (Pvt) Ltd as a Senior Executive. He has over 17 years of experience in Sampling.

MAHESH DE ZOYSA
MANAGER IT

He is an IT professional who has over 18 years of experience in the Information Technology field. He joined Ceylon Tea Brokers as the Assistant Manager IT in 2011 and currently he is performing as Manager IT from 2016.

SANETHRI BEMINIWATTE
MANAGER – HR

Ms. Beminwatte holds a Master of Business Administration from the Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK. She also holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (Special) Degree in Human Resource Management from the University of Kelaniya.

She also holds an Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting from CIMA – UK and Affiliate Member of the Chartered Institute of Personal Management (CIPM)

Prior to joining Ceylon Tea Brokers, she held the position of Assistant Manager – Talent Engagement & Development at Brandix Apparel Limited.

SONIA ARIF
MANAGER ADMINISTRATION

Ms. Arif is a Member of the Association of Business Executives (MABE), UK. She holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK. She joined Ceylon Tea Brokers PLC in 2015 and prior to joining the Company she functioned in the capacity of an Executive Secretary at Debug Group of Companies.

ROCHELLE FERNANDO
ASSISTANT MANAGER ADMINISTRATION

Rochelle holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Glyndwr University, Wales, UK. She joined Ceylon Tea Brokers PLC in 2016 and prior to joining us, she functioned in the capacity of an Executive Secretary to the Group Director, Marketing at Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Ltd.

SACHITRA WARUSEVITANE
MANAGER RISK & COMPLIANCE

Sachitra holds a Master of Science (MSc) from the Canterbury Christ Church University, UK. He also holds a Bachelors degree in Accounting (Special) from the Sri Jayawardanapura University. He is an Affiliate member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), UK. He has also completed Level One & Two of the Chartered Financial Analyst Program (CFA), USA.
Prior to joining Ceylon Tea Brokers, he was functioning in the capacity of Assistant Manager at Securities & Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka.

SAHAN GUNATHILAKE
SENIOR MANAGER MANUFACTURING ADVISORY

Joined Ceylon Tea Brokers in 2014 and he has over 15 years of experience in the tea manufacturing sector.

J. R. EPA
CONSULTANT MANUFACTURING ADVISORY

Joined Ceylon Tea Brokers in 2019 and he has over 30 years of experience in the tea manufacturing sector. He has also worked for Kelani Valley Plantations.

Our Team

Board of Directors

NIRAJ DE MELCHAIRMAN

AJITH FERNANDODIRECTOR

WARUNA DE SILVAMANAGING DIRECTOR

DINESH FERNANDODIRECTOR / CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

THILINA NONISEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

ZAMEEL MOHAMEDEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

CHRISANTHA PERERADIRECTOR

SHIROMAL COORAYDIRECTOR

SHARMALI PERERADIRECTOR

MIHIRINI DE ZOYSADIRECTOR

AMRAH AKBARDIRECTOR

BESHAN KULAPALADIRECTOR

Other Key Personnel

THARAKE NILAWEERAGENERAL MANAGER - TEA

DEEMANTHA EKANAYAKESENIOR MANAGER TEA

HARSHANA PERERASENIOR MANAGER – TEA

THENUKA KARUNASENAMANAGER – TEA

SAVEEN MARIOMANAGER - TEA

SHAVEENDRA HETTIARACHCHISENIOR ASSISTANT MANAGER – TEA

SADHANANTHAN SHIVANISENIOR ASSISTANT MANAGER - TEA

SADHANANTHAN SHIVANISENIOR ASSISTANT MANAGER - TEA

KASUN SENEVIRATHNAMANAGER FINANCE

SENURI DE SILVAASSISTANT MANAGER FINANCE

INDIKA ABEYRATHNEASSISTANT MANAGER FINANCE

THILINI SUBASHINIASSISTANT MANAGER FINANCE

NISHAN ABEYGUNAWARDENASENIOR MANAGER OPERATIONS

DARSHANI PERERAASSISTANT MANAGER CATALOGUING

MADAWA JAYARATNEMANAGER SAMPLE ROOM

MAHESH DE ZOYSAMANAGER IT

SANETHRI BEMINIWATTEMANAGER – HR

SONIA ARIFMANAGER ADMINISTRATION

ROCHELLE FERNANDOASSISTANT MANAGER ADMINISTRATION

SACHITRA WARUSEVITANEMANAGER RISK & COMPLIANCE

SAHAN GUNATHILAKESENIOR MANAGER MANUFACTURING ADVISORY

J. R. EPACONSULTANT MANUFACTURING ADVISORY

NIRAJ DE MEL
CHAIRMAN

AJITH FERNANDO
DIRECTOR

WARUNA DE SILVA
MANAGING DIRECTOR

DINESH FERNANDO
DIRECTOR / CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

THILINA NONIS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

ZAMEEL MOHAMED
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

CHRISANTHA PERERA
DIRECTOR

SHIROMAL COORAY
DIRECTOR

SHARMALI PERERA
DIRECTOR

MIHIRINI DE ZOYSA
DIRECTOR

AMRAH AKBAR
DIRECTOR

BESHAN KULAPALA
DIRECTOR

THARAKE NILAWEERA
GENERAL MANAGER - TEA

DEEMANTHA EKANAYAKE
SENIOR MANAGER TEA

HARSHANA PERERA
SENIOR MANAGER – TEA

THENUKA KARUNASENA
MANAGER – TEA

SAVEEN MARIO
MANAGER - TEA

SHAVEENDRA HETTIARACHCHI
SENIOR ASSISTANT MANAGER – TEA

SADHANANTHAN SHIVANI
SENIOR ASSISTANT MANAGER - TEA

SADHANANTHAN SHIVANI
SENIOR ASSISTANT MANAGER - TEA

KASUN SENEVIRATHNA
MANAGER FINANCE

SENURI DE SILVA
ASSISTANT MANAGER FINANCE

INDIKA ABEYRATHNE
ASSISTANT MANAGER FINANCE

THILINI SUBASHINI
ASSISTANT MANAGER FINANCE

NISHAN ABEYGUNAWARDENA
SENIOR MANAGER OPERATIONS

DARSHANI PERERA
ASSISTANT MANAGER CATALOGUING

MADAWA JAYARATNE
MANAGER SAMPLE ROOM

MAHESH DE ZOYSA
MANAGER IT

SANETHRI BEMINIWATTE
MANAGER – HR

SONIA ARIF
MANAGER ADMINISTRATION

ROCHELLE FERNANDO
ASSISTANT MANAGER ADMINISTRATION

SACHITRA WARUSEVITANE
MANAGER RISK & COMPLIANCE

SAHAN GUNATHILAKE
SENIOR MANAGER MANUFACTURING ADVISORY

J. R. EPA
CONSULTANT MANUFACTURING ADVISORY