President
President, Mr. Lionel Herath’s Message at the 33rd Annual General Meeting
I am privileged and honoured to issue this message for the 33rd anniversary of our Association – Sri Lanka Tea Factory Owners Association that goes by the industry specific acronym ‘SLTFOA’.
Our Association functions essentially as a service organization, providing vital facilities to its members for the seamless operation of their business and also safeguarding their varied interests, whilst in the process assisting the country to sustain its tea industry in a more effective manner.
We could boast of a very large, strong, committed membership and what is important is the strength we have acquired as an Association to negotiate with all relevant organizations and to exert our rights as an indispensable partner in the country’s tea industry. We are now recognized accordingly and our critical views are sought out by all policy makers of the tea industry and the tea trade.
Conforming to their objectives, members of the Association cater almost exclusively to the Tea Smallholder population in manufacturing their green leaf, providing services such as advisory and extension, supply of input materials as fertilizer, etc., including cash advances on the supply of green leaf, other services rendered to the smallholder population includes soft loans to meet the immediate needs of the families, let it be a marriage, a funeral, repairs to dwellings etc.
Thus, the Tea Factory Owners have forged a very close and admirable relationship with the green leaf suppliers, which have engendered a strong sense of loyalty and partnership between the two. This has developed into an interdependent association, with the stark realization that one cannot sustain its livelihood without the trust and support of the other.
This year had been one of the most challenging with many intractable issues confronted by the tea industry. The problems pivoted around the steep drop in prices realized at the auctions from May 2023 linked to the appreciation of the Sri Lankan Rupee whilst in recent weeks the volatility in the exchange rate has raised fresh concerns. To compound our predicament – high fertilizer costs, massive wage hikes, exorbitant electricity tariffs, to say the least, negatively impacted the cost of production to escalate higher than the prices obtained from the Tea Auctions. Thus, the Tea Factory Owners are facing immense hardships in keeping their factories operational and are compelled to resort to borrowings from Banks, Brokers and other financial institutions to grapple the rising costs. We will yet still prevail!
The Association maintained very cordial relationship with all tea industry stakeholders and I hereby extend my gratitude to them for their continuous encouragement and support.
I wish to convey my sincere appreciation to all Past Chairmen, Board of Directors, members of the Executive Committee and fellow members who worked as a team and supported me in completing yet another memorable year. I also thank the Secretary General and the Secretariat staff who made my task easier and enjoyable.
A special word of thanks goes out to the organizing committee of the AGM and all the sponsors who contributed to make this event a success. 2023, thus far had been a year of increased optimism in the tea industry and I hope the close of the year will see the swift restoration of our industry to its past glory.
2023/ 2024
Executive Committee
Board Of Directors
Mr. L.B.M. Herath – Chairman
Mr. Chandima Wickramasinghe – Imm.Past Chairman
Mr. W. Jinadasa – Jt.Vice Chairman / Matara Branch Chairman
Mr. B.W. Nanayakkara – Jt.Vice – Chairman
Mr. L.E. Liyanage – Jt. Secretary
Mr. Damitha Weerakoon – Jt. Treasurer / Kalutara Branch Chairman
Mr. Amal Jayasinghe – Jt. Treasurer
Past Chairmen
Mr. K. H. G. M. Padmasiri
Mr. K.W Dahanayake
Mr. G.S. Samarasekara
Mr. D.M.de A. Alwis
Mr. U.K.H.R. Ranasinghe
Advisors
Mr. D.E. Welikala
Dr. Sarath Samaraweera
Mr. A. Dissanayake
Galle District
Mr. C.H.W. Seneviratna – Branch Chairman
Committee Members :
Mr. Sanjaya Seneviratna
Mr. R.J.T. Abeyawardena
Mr. P.G. Sunil
Mr. Anura Athukorala
Mr. Chinthaka Nishanatha
Kalutara / Mathugama District
Committee Members
Mr. P.Iddamalgoda
Mr. Suresh Galaboda
Matara District
Mr. H.L.A.D. Sirithilake
Mr. Aseka Liyanage
Mr. Isuru Ishan
Mr. Varuna Maliduwapathirana
Mr. Shiran Gunawardhana
Mr. Hiran Gamage
Mr. Ramesh Jayasekara
Mr. Manoj Jayawardhana
Ratnapura District
Branch Chairman – Mr. Jayanga Weerasena
Committee Members
Mr. M.C. Perera
Mrs. P. Wanniarachchi
Mr. Saman Upasena
Mr. Mindika Walgamage
Kandy / Gampola District
Branch Chairman – Mr. M.Balendran
Committee Members
Mr. Ijaz Meezan
Mr. Riyaz Udayar
Mr. Dilshard Sanoordeen
2022/ 2023
Executive Committee
Board Of Directors
Mr. L.B.M. Herath – Chairman
Mr. C. Wickremasinghe – Imm Past Chairman
Mr. P.M. Peiris – Jt. Vice Chairman
Mr. L.E. Liyanage – Jt. Vice Chairman
Mr. W. Jinadasa – Jt. Treasurer / Matara Branch Chairman
Mr. B. W. Nanayakkara – Jt. Treasurer
Mr. Amal Jayasinghe – Jt. Secretary
Mr. J.A Weerasena – Jt. Secretary
Past Chairmen
Mr. K. H. G. M. Padmasiri
Mr. P. W. Nanayakkara
Mr. K.W Dahanayake
Mr. G.S. Samarasekara
Mr. D.M.de A. Alwis
Mr. U.K.H.R. Ranasinghe
Advisors
Mr. D.E. Welikala
Dr. Sarath Samaraweera
Mr. A. Dissanayake
Galle District
Mr. C.H.W. Seneviratna – Branch Chairman
Committee Members :
Mr. R. Abeywardena
Mr. S. Seneviratne
Mr. C.Nishantha
Mr. D.A.T..Athukorala
Mr. P.G. Sunil
Mrs. Mindula Wijesinghe
Kalutara / Mathugama District
Branch Chairman – Mr. Damitha Weerakoon
Committee Members
Mr. P.Iddamalgoda
Mr. S.A Galaboda
Matara District
Mr. I. Ishan
Mr. H.L.A.D. Sirithilake
Mr. W. Maliduwapathirana
Mr. S.Gunawardhana
Mr. Hiran Gamage
Mr. Upali Abeyawickrama
Ratnapura District
Committee Members
Mrs.P.D. Wanniarachchi
Mr. S. Upasena
Mr. Mindika Walgamage
Mr. Riyaz Udayar
Kandy / Gampola District
Branch Chairman – Mr. M.Balendran
Committee Members
Mr. I. Meezan
Mr. Y. Bandara
2021 / 2022
Executive Committee
Board Of Directors
Mr. C. Wickremasinghe – Imm Past Chairman
Mr. P.M. Peiris – Jt. Vice Chairman
Mr. L.E. Liyanage – Jt. Vice Chairman
Mr. W. Jinadasa – Jt. Treasurer / Matara Branch Chairman
Mr. B. W. Nanayakkara – Jt. Treasurer
Mr. C. D. Withanachchi – Jt. Secretary
Mr. J.A Weerasena – Jt. Secretary
Past Chairmen
Mr. K. H. G. M. Padmasiri
Mr. P. W. Nanayakkara
Mr. K.W Dahanayake
Mr. G.S. Samarasekara
Mr. D.M.de.A. Alwis
Mr. U.K.H.R. Ranasinghe
Advisors
Mr. D.E. Welikala
Dr. Sarath Samaraweera
Mr. A. Dissanayake
Galle District
Mr. C.H.W. Seneviratna – Branch Chairman
Committee Members :
Mr.R.Abeywardena
Mr. A. Jayasinghe
Mr. S. Seneviratne
Mr. A. Lanerolle
Mr. C.Nishantha
Mr. D.A.T.Athukorala
Ratnapura District
Mr. M.C. Perera – Branch Chairman
Committee Members :
Mrs.P.D.Wanniarachchi
Mr. R.S.Samaranayake
Mr. S. Upasena
Mr. A.K.C. Perera
Matara District
Mr. W. Jinadasa – Branch Chairman
Committee Members :
Mr. L. Jayasinghe
Mr. C.A Liyanage
Mr. I. Ishan
Mr. H.L.A.D. Sirithilake
Mr. W. Maliduwapathirana
Mr. S.Gunawardhana
Kandy / Gampola District
Mr. M.Balendran – Branch Chairman
Committee Members :
Mr. R.W.Harley
Mr. I. Meezan
Mr. A. Bandara
Kalutara / Mathugama District
Mr. I. Nallaperuma – Branch Chairman
Committee Members :
Mr. P.Iddamalgoda
Mr. S.A Galaboda
2020 / 2021
Executive Committee
Board Of Directors
Mr. Chandima Wickramasinghe – Chairman
Mr. U.K.H.R. Ranasinghe – Imm. Past Chairman
Mr. L.B.M. Herath – Jt. Vice Chairman
Mr.P.M.Peiris – Jt. Vice Chairman
Mr. L.E. Liyanage – Jt Secretary
Mr. Varuna Maliduwapathirana – Jt. Secretary
Mr. C.D. Withanachchi – Jt. Treasurer
Mr. M.C. Perera – Jt. Treasurer
Galle District
Mr. C.H.W. Seneviratna – Branch Chairman
Committee Members :
Mr. R.J.T. Abeyawardena
Mr. A. Jayasinghe
Mr. Sanjaya Seneviratna
Mr. B.W. Nanayakkara
Mr. Ananda Lanerolle
Mr. Chinthaka Nishantha
Ratnapura District
Mr. M.C. Perera – Branch Chairman
Committee Members :
Mr. P. Wanniarachchi
Mr. R.S. Samaranayake
Mr. Jayanga Weerasena
Mr. Saman Upasena
Matara District
Mr. W. Jinadasa – Branch Chairman
Committee Members :
Mr. Devapriya Wanigasekara
Mr. L. Jayasinghe
Mr. H.L.A.D. Sirithilake
Mr. Aseka Liyanage
Mr. Isuru Ishan
Mr. Hiran Gamage
Mr. Chaminda Jayawardena
Kandy / Gampola District
Mr. W. Jinadasa – Mr. L.B.M. Herath
Committee Members :
Mr. R.W. Harley
Mr. M. Balendran
Mr. Ijaz Mohodeen
Kalutara / Mathugama District
Mr. Damitha Weerakoon – Branch Chairman
Committee Members : Mr. Suresh Galaboda
2019 / 2020
Executive Committee
Board Of Directors
Mr. Chandima Wickramasinghe – Chairman
Mr. U.K.H.R. Ranasinghe – Imm. Past Chairman
Mr. L.B.M. Herath – Jt. Vice Chairman /Branch Chairman
Mr. W. Jinadasa – Jt. Vice Chairman /Branch Chairman
Mr. C.D. Withanachchi – Jt. Treasurer
Mr. M.C. Perera – Jt. Treasurer /Branch Chairman
Mr. L.E. Liyanage – Jt. Secretary
Mr. Varuna Maliduwapathirana – Jt. Secretary
Past Chairmen
Mr. Mahinda Padmasiri
Mr. P.W. Nanayakkara
Mr. P.P.M. Dias
Mr. K.W. Dahanayake
Mr. G.S. Samarasekara
Mr. Anil Alwis
Advisors
Mr. D.E. Welikala
Dr. Sarath Samaraweera
Mr. Amara Dissanayake
Galle District
Mr. C.H.W. Seneviratna – Branch Chairman
Committee Members :
Mr. B.T. Dias
Mr. R.J.T. Abeyawardena
Mr. A. Jayasinghe
Mr. Sanjaya Seneviratna
Mr. B.W. Nanayakkara
Mr. U.V.J.S. Ranasinghe
Ratnapura District
Committee Members :
Mr. R.G. Walpola
Mrs. P. Wanniarachchi
Mr. P.M. Peiris
Mr. R.S. Samaranayake
Mr. S. Upasena
Matara District
Committee Members :
Mr. M. Vidanapathirana
Mr. Devapriya Wanigasekara
Mr. L. Jayasinghe
Mr. H.L.A.D. Sirithilake
Kandy / Gampola Branch
Committee Members : Mr. R.W. Harley
Kalutara / Mathugama
Mr. Damitha Weerakoon – Branch Chairman
Committee Members : Mr. S.A. Galaboda
2018 / 2019
Committee
Board Of Directors
Mr. U.K.H.R. Ranasinghe – Chairman
Mr. Anil Alwis – Imm. Past Chairman
Mr. Chandima Wickramasinghe – Jt. Vice Chairman
Mr. Varuna Maliduwapathirana – Jt. Vice Chairman
Mr. L.E. Liyanage – Jt. Treasurer
Mr. B.T. Dias – Jt. Treasure
Mr. W. Jinadasa – Jt. Treasurer/ Branch Chairman
Mr. C.D. Withanachchi – Jt. Secretar
Advisors
Mr. Mahinda Padmasiri
Mr. D.E. Welikala
Mr. N.B.H. Pilapitiya
Dr. Sarath Samaraweera
Mr. Amara Dissanayake
Mr. P.W. Nanayakkara
Mr. P.P.M. Dias
Mr. K.W. Dahanayake
Mr. G.S. Samarasekara
Ratnapura District
Mr. Ruwan Dissanayake – Branch Chairman
Committee Members :
Mr. R.G. Walpola
Mrs. P. Wanniarachchi
Mr. Pasindu Maduranga Peiris
Mr. M.C. Perera
Galle District
Mr. C.H.W. Seneviratna – Branch Chairman
Committee Members :
Mr. B.T. Dias
Mr. R.J.T. Abeyawardena
Mr. A. Jayasinghe
Mr. Sanjaya Seneviratna
Mr. B.W. Nanayakkara
Mr. U.V.J.S. Ranasinghe
Matara District
Committee Members :
Mr. M. Vidanapathirana
Mr. D.T.Hendawitharana
Mr. Aseka Liyanage
Mr. Devapriya Wanigasekara
Mr. L. Jayasinghe
Mr. Isuru Ishan
Central Region
Committee Members :
Mr. L.B.M. Herath – Branch Chairman
Mr. A.L.M. Azlam
Mr. T.C.N. Jayasekara
Kalutara / Mathugama
Mr. Kolitha Ariyasena – Branch Chairman
2017 / 2018
Committee
Board Of Directors
Mr. U.K.H.R. Ranasinghe – Chairman
Mr. Anil Alwis – Imm. Past Chairman
Mr. B.T. Dias – Jt. Vice Chairman
Mr. Varuna Maliduwapathirana – Jt. Vice Chairman
Mr. L.E. Liyanage – Jt. Secretary
Mr. Chandima Wickramasinghe – Jt. Secretary
Mr. W. Jinadasa – Jt. Treasurer/ Branch Chairman
Mr. C.D. Withanachchi – Jt. Treasurer
Past Chairmen
Advisors :
Mr. Mahinda Padmasiri
Mr. D.E. Welikala
Mr. N.B.H. Pilapitiya
Dr. Sarath Samaraweera
Mr. Amara Dissanayake
Mr. P.W. Nanayakkara
Mr. P.P.M. Dias
Mr. K.W. Dahanayake
Mr. G.S. Samarasekara
Ratnapura District
Mr. Ruwan Dissanayake – Branch Chairman
Committee Members :
Mr. Ruwan Dissanayake
Mr. R.G. Walpola
Mrs. P. Wanniarachchi
Mr. Pasindu Peiris
Mr. M.C. Perera
Galle District
Mr. C.H.W. Seneviratna – Branch Chairman
Committee Members :
Mr. C.H.W. Seneviratna
Mr. L.S.U. Karunatilake
Mr. R.J.T. Abeyawardena
Mr. A. Jayasinghe
Mr. Sanjaya Seneviratna
Mr. B.W. Nanayakkara
Mr. U.V.J.S. Ranasinghe
Matara District
Mr. W. Jinadasa – Branch Chairman
Committee Members :
Mr. W. Jinadasa
Mr. M. Vidanapathirana
Mr. D. G. Isuru Ishan
Mr. Aseka Liyanage
Mr. A.S. Wannige
Mr.L. Jayasinghe
Central Region
Branch Chairman – Mr. R.W. Harley
Committee Members :
Mr. R.W. Harley
Mr. T.C.N. Jayasekare
Mr. L.B.M. Herath
Kalutara / Mathugama
Branch Chairman – Ms.H.A.O.P.Gunathilake
Committee Members : Mr. Damitha Weerakoon
2015 / 2016
Committee
Board Of Directors
Mr. U.K.H.R. Ranasinghe – Chairman
Mr. Anil Alwis – Imm. Past Chairman
Mr. B.T. Dias – Jt. Vice Chairman
Mr. Varuna Maliduwapathirana – Jt. Vice Chairman
Mr. L.E. Liyanage – Jt. Secretary
Mr. Chandima Wickramasinghe – Jt. Secretary
Mr. W. Jinadasa – Jt. Treasurer/ Branch Chairman
Mr. C.D. Withanachchi – Jt. Treasurer
Advisors / Past Presidents
Mr. Mahinda Pathmasiri
Mr. D.E. Welikala
Mr. N.B.H. Pilapitiya
Dr. Sarath Samaraweera
Mr. Amara Dissanayake
Mr. P.W. Nanayakkara
Mr. P.P.M. Dias
Mr. K.W. Dahanayake
Mr. Anil Perera
Ratnapura District
Mr. Ruwan Dissanayake – Branch Chairman
Committee Members :
Mrs. P. Wanniarachchi
Mr. Pasindu Maduranga Peiris
Mr. S. Ramanayake
Mr. Chaminda Hirikubura
Kandy / Gampola Branch
Mr.R.W.Harley – Branch Chairman
Committee Members : Mr. A.L.M. Azaar
Galle Branch
Mr. C.D. Withanachchi – Branch Chairman
Committee Members :
Mr. A.G.S Gamini
Mr. B.T. Dias
Mr. L.S.U. Karunatilake
Mr. R.J.T. Abeyawardena
Mr. A. Jayasinghe
C.H.W. Seneviratna
Mr. Sanjaya Seneviratna
Mr. B.W. Nanayakkara
Matara Branch
Mr. W. Jinadasa – Branch Chairman
Committee Members :
Mr. W. Jinadasa
Mr. M. Vidanapathirana
Mr. D. G. Isuru Ishan
Mr. Aseka Liyanage
Mr. A.S. Wannige
Mr.L. Jayasinghe
Kalutara / Mathugama
Mr. Sanjeewa Jayakody – Branch Chairman
Committee Members :
Ms.H.A.O.P.Gunathilake
Mr. Damitha Weerakoon
Mr. Rumesh Hasantha
2014 / 2015
Committee
Director Board
Mr. G.S. Samarasekara – Chairman
Mr. K.W. Dahanayake Imm. – Past Chairman
Mr. L.E. Liyanage – Jt. Vice Chairman
Mr. P. Vanderpoorten – Jt. Vice Chairman
Mr. B.W. Nanayakkara – Jt. Secretary
Mr. M. Ranaweera – Jt. Secretary
Mr. S. Galaboda – Jt. Treasurer
Mr. U.K.H.R. Ranasinghe – Jt. Treasurer
Advisors / Past Presidents
Mr. Mahinda Pathmasiri
Mr. D.E. Welikala
Mr. N.B.H. Pilapitiya
Dr. Sarath Samaraweera
Mr. Amara Dissanayake
Mr. P.W. Nanayakkara
Mr. P.P.M. Dias
Mr. K.W. Dahanayake
Mr. Anil Perera
Ratnapura District
Branch Chairman – Mr. Nishantha Liyanage
Mr. S. Ramanayake
Mrs. P. Wanniarachchi
Mr. R. Walpola
Mr. J. Kaluarachchi
Mr. Pasindu Peiris
Ratnapura Branch
Mr. Nishantha Liyanage – Branch Chairman
Committee Members :
Mr. A.G.S. Gamini
Mr. B.T. Dias
Mr. L.S.U. Karunatilake
Mr. C. Seneviratne
Mr. R.J.T. Abeyawardena
Mr. A. Jayasinghe
Mr. C.D. Vithanachchi
Mr. M.M.A. Wakeel
Mr. W.G. Sunil
Galle Branch
Mr. A.G.S. Gamini – Branch Chairman
Committee Members :
Mr. B.T. Dias
Mr. L.S.U. Karunatilake
Mr. R.J.T. Abeyawardena
Mr. A. Jayasinghe
Mr. C.D. Vithanachchi
Mr. W.G. Sunil
Mr. Sanjaya Seneviratne
Mr. D.A.T. Athukorala
Mr. D.M.A. Alwis
Mr. M.P. Wijesinghe
Mr. Chanaka Seneviratne
Kandy / Gampola Branch
Mr. R.W. Harley – Branch Chairman
Committee Members :
Mr. A.L.M. Azaar
Mr. C. Jayasekara
Matara Branch
Mr. W. Jinadasa – Branch Chairman
Committee Members :
Mr. W. Jinadasa
Mr. M. Vidanapathirana
Mr. D. G. Isuru Ishan
Mr. Aseka Liyanage
Mr. A.S. Wannige
Mr.L. Jayasinghe
Kalutara / Mathugama
Mr. Sanjeewa Jayakody – Branch Chairman
Committee Members :
Ms.H.A.O.P.Gunathilake
Mr. Damitha Weerakoon
Mr. Rumesh Hasantha
2012 / 2013
Committee
Director Board
Mr. G.S. Samarasekara – Chairman
Mr. K.W. Dahanayake Imm. – Past Chairman
Mr. L.E. Liyanage – Jt. Vice Chairman
Mr. P. Vanderpoorten – Jt. Vice Chairman
Mr. B.W. Nanayakkara – Jt. Secretary
Mr. M. Ranaweera – Jt. Secretary
Mr. S. Galaboda – Jt. Treasurer
Mr. U.K.H.R. Ranasinghe – Jt. Treasurer
Advisor Presidents
Mr. Mahinda Pathmasiri
Mr. D. E. Welikala
Mr. N.B.H. Pilapitiya
Dr. Sarath Samaraweera
Mr. P.P.M. Dias
Mr. Amara Dissanayake
Mr. P.W. Nanayakkara
Galle District
Branch Chairman – Mr. A.G.Sarath Gamini
Committee Members :
Mr. A.G.S. Gamini
Mr. B.T. Dias
Mr. L.S.U. Karunatilake
Mr. C. Seneviratne
Mr. R.J.T. Abeyawardena
Mr. A. Jayasinghe
Mr. C.D. Vithanachchi
Mr. M.M.A. Wakeel
Mr. W.G. Sunil
Ratnapura District
Branch Chairman – Mr. Nishantha Liyanage
Committee Members :
Mr. S. Ramanayake
Mrs. P. Wanniarachchi
Mr. Ranjan Walpola
Mr. J. Kaluarachchi
Mr. Chanaka Perera
Mr. Anura Peiris
Matara District
Branch Chairman – Mr. Nishantha Liyanage
Committee Members :
Mr. S. Ramanayake
Mrs. P. Wanniarachchi
Mr. Ranjan Walpola
Mr. J. Kaluarachchi
Mr. Chanaka Perera
Mr. Anura Peiris
Kandy / Gampola Districts
Branch Chairman – Mr. R.W. Harley
Committee Members :
Mr. A. L. M. L. Azhar
Mr. C. Jayasekara
Kalutara / Mathugama Districts
Branch Chairman – Mr. R.W. Harley
Committee Members :
Mr. A. L. M. L. Azhar
Mr. C. Jayasekara