Ceylon Tobacco Company appoints Rukshan Gunatilaka as Supply Chain Director

Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC (CTC) recently announced the appointment of Dr. Rukshan Gunatilake as the Supply Chain Director. Rukshan has over 20 years’ experience across a multitude of markets operating within the British American Tobacco (BAT) network and is expected to significantly contribute to the company’s crop to consumer supply chain. 

Rukshan began his career at Nestle Lanka after which he was employed at Hingurana Sugar and Thalwakele Plantation prior to joining CTC as a Management Trainee. His agility and dynamism was quickly recognised and he was promoted as Head of Leaf Operations, a position which he occupied for three years before being offered an international assignment. 

During his career with BAT, Rukshan has been at the forefront of productivity innovations and market operations, occupying positions across the group such as, Leaf Operations Manager in Vietnam, Leaf Director in Uzbekistan and Regional Agronomy Manager for the Asia Pacific region based in Malaysia.

He holds a Masters in Agriculture Economics and a PhD in Agricultural Extension from the Post Graduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya. Prior to his overseas attachment, he was a faculty board member at the University of Sabaragamuwa, a visiting lecturer at the University of Peradeniya and external examiner at the Post Graduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya. He is an old boy of Royal College, Colombo 7. 

Rukshan was also bestowed the Presidential Award in 2011 by the President of Uzbekistan on the country’s Independence Day in recognition of the CSR work carried out in the country’s rural regions from 2008-2011.

Rukshan’s multidisciplinary competencies and dedication will be an apt synergy in driving forward the company’s proactive thinking and innovation in terms of process improvements and manufacturing standards.