Denzil Perera takes the helm as President of PIMA for year 2020/21

Seated from left: PIMA Treasurer Lakmali Priyangika, PIMA Immediate Past President Jayalal Hewawasam, PIM Facility Co-ordinator Dr. Samantha Ratnayake, PIM Director and Patron PIMA Prof. Ajantha Dharmasiri, PIMA President Denzil Perera, PIMA Vice President Shiranthi Theverapperuma, PIMA Secretary Dr. Chandana Ekanayake. Standing from left: Janaka Nonis, Assistant Editor Nilufa Nizam, Shantha Katipearachchi, Mahasen Wijayaratne, Lalinda Ariyaratna, Dhananjaya Ponnamperuma, Assistant Secretary Ramesh Dissanayake, Chanaka Gunatilake, Editor Thimira Manamendra, PIMA Assistant Treasurer Nilam Hallaldeen, Dr. Virul de Silva, Dishan Shaminda 

Lauded as Sri Lanka’s most active and engaging alumni committed to raising the bar for corporate professionals, Postgraduate Institute of Management Alumni (PIMA) recently appointed its new President and Executive Committee at the association’s 19th Annual General Meeting.

President of PIMA for the year 2020/21, Denzil Perera

Handing over responsibilities to his successor, outgoing President Jayalal Hewawasam garlanded the new President Denzil Perera wishing him the best of luck in leading the association towards a successful year of operations. 

Armed with over 15 years of sales and branding experience in top corporates such as ACL Cables, Marina Foods, Union Assurance, Hemas Holdings and Sri Lanka Insurance, Denzil Perera joined Hayleys Aventura as General Manager last year. An old boy of Ananda College, he completed his Bachelor’s degree specialised in Marketing at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, obtained his MBA at PIM and also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing from The Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK). A business strategist, consultant, corporate trainer and lecturer, he has previously held positions of Vice President and Secretary of PIMA. 

The new executive committee comprises of Shiranthi Theverapperuma as Vice President,

who holds the position of Chief Financial Officer at Ceylon Oxygen, Immediate Past President Jayalal Hewawasam – the CEO of Allianz Insurance Lanka, Treasurer Lakmali Priyangika who is a lecturer at Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation, Assistant Treasurer Nilam Hallaldeen – Business Consultant, Editor Thimira Manamendra – Head of Affinity at Allianz Insurance Lanka, Assistant Editor Nilufa Nizam – Sales Specialist at DHL Global Forwarding (Sri Lanka), Secretary Chandana Ekanayake who is the Commissioner of Rehabilitation and Skill Development at the Department of Prisons and Assistant Secretary Ramesh Dassanayake – Managing Director at Sunway Group of Companies.

The Committee members include Navil Logistics CEO Chanaka Gunatilake, Sales and Marketing Consultant Shantha Katipearachchi, Hutchison Telecommunications Lanka Chief Technology Officer Dhananjaya Ponnamperuma, Lankem Plantations Head of Human Resources and Administration Mahasen Wijayaratne, Siam City Cement (Lanka) Sales Manager Dishan Shaminda, BMS Colombo Governing Board Member Dr. Viruli de Silva, NDB Bank Deputy Manager (Finance) Janaka Nonis and Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Consultant Director Lalinda Ariyaratna.

Speaking of his appointment, Denzil Perera said, “It gives me great pleasure to take on this esteemed role and have the opportunity to work with an executive committee that comprises an incredible mix of professionals who carry a lot of expertise from multiple fields. PIMA has always been a leader in the realms of corporate skill development, professional upliftment and continuous learning; guided by the exemplary work of the previous leadership I am confident that together with this experienced team we can take the association to greater heights this year.”

He further stated that he and his team will be working on a range of initiatives to help business owners and the decision makers of leading conglomerates in the country, gear themselves to successfully navigate their business entities through the current challenges faced due to the pandemic. Denzil also mentioned that PIM is undoubtedly the best MBA in Sri Lanka which gives access to a wider professional network and also it builds capacity to take up challenges in the corporate world which needs strategic thinking and business acumen. 

He invites alumni of recently passed out batches to join hands with PIMA as it can open many opportunities to expand the boundaries of career. He also thanked PIM Director, PIMA Patron Prof. Ajantha Dharmasiri for his continuous guidance and support.