New members of TMC Colombo

Dinendra Nanayakkara is the Chief Supply Chain Officer of International Distillers Ltd., overseeing end-to-end supply chain operations involving manufacturing, engineering, warehousing, and logistics for a workforce of over 250. With 24 years of experience primarily in manufacturing, he combines financial expertise with operational leadership and an entrepreneurial mindset. He previously served as the Group Risk Manager at IDL, leading internal audit and enterprise risk initiatives with KPMG, and held senior finance roles at Ansell Healthcare and Finlays. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka and CIMA and began his career at Ernst & Young. He is recognised for integrity and strategic leadership. 

Rajiv Dassanayake brings over 26 years of experience in sales, business development, marketing, and project management across FMCG, in retail and in duty-free outlets, and in service industries. A results-driven marketer, he combines hands-on expertise with strong administrative, communication, and leadership skills. Known for honesty, reliability, and collaboration, he excels in managing multiple projects and extended teams within deadlines and budgets. An innovative thinker with strong interpersonal and organisational skills, he values customer focus, quality, creativity, and continuous improvement. His high-energy, disciplined approach and commitment to leadership define his professional ethos, strengthened by the financial controls and driven by performance management, supported the Group’s growth strategy. He is an active member of Colombo Swimming Club, CR & FC Club, and the Sri Lanka India Society. He is recognised for his disciplined financial stewardship.

Nalinda Jayalath is the Country Manager for Sri Lanka and Maldives at Bacardi International, with over 15 years in travel, retail and premium beverages. He has held senior roles across supply chain, category management, and liquor buying, consistently driving volume and EBIT growth in competitive markets. Previously, he was the Commercial Manager at Dufry Lanka, managing product portfolios like liquor, tobacco, confectionery, perfume, and luxury brands while negotiating with 1,500+ suppliers. He has an MBA from the University of Wales, he also serves as the President of the MBA Society – Sri Lankan Chapter for the University. He is recognised for his commercial acumen, negotiation skills, and results-driven leadership.

Punsara Aravinda, Founder and Managing Director of CIAP Ltd., is a Class I Marine Engineer by profession with over 20 years of international experience spanning both on-sea and shore-based roles. He specialises in ship repair, vessel maintenance, marine engineering operations, and technical management. His career reflects a strong blend of hands-on technical expertise and execution-focused leadership across global maritime environments. He holds an MBA and a UK Class I Certificate of Competency. In addition, he serves as a Visiting Lecturer at CINEC Maritime Campus, contributing to the development of future maritime professionals.

Eranka De Silva is the Marketing Manager at International Distillers Ltd., with over 14 years of experience in FMCG, B2B, and B2C sectors, specialising in trade marketing and go-to-market execution. He has expertise in channel strategy, distributor and retailer engagement, in-store promotions, and sales alignment to drive revenue and market share growth. Previously, he led Premium ON-Trade sales at DCSL Breweries Lanka Ltd., achieving consistent growth across HoReCa channels. His prior leadership roles at AIA (Sri Lanka) and Softlogic Life covers exceeding sales targets and thereby building high-performing teams. De Silva is recognised for strategic planning, market insight, and cross-functional leadership.

Vellat Nandakumar Nair is the Group Chief Financial Officer of International Distillers Ltd., a role he has held since 2013. A seasoned finance professional, he is a Fellow of CIMA (UK) and a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) with extensive experience in corporate finance, governance, and strategic financial leadership. He holds an MBA from the University of Lincoln, UK. Nair has also strengthened the financial controls, driven by performance management, and supported the Group’s growth strategy. He is an active member of Colombo Swimming Club, CR & FC Club, and the Sri Lanka India Society. He is recognised for his disciplined financial stewardship and excellence.

Bhashaka Gunathilaka is an Executive seasoned in finance and in strategy currently serving as a Director at Fin. & Strategy at CIAP Ltd. - A leading corporate financial architecture and strategic growth initiatives within Sri Lanka’s marine engineering sector. He holds an MBA from the Postgraduate Institute of Management and is professionally qualified with ACMA, CGMA, and MAAT.Counting over 20 years of corporate experience across Sri Lanka, the UAE, and Indonesia, he has built up an extensive expertise in corporate finance, capital structuring, IFRS-compliant reporting, and enterprise transformation. He is recognised for aligning disciplined capital allocation for sustainable business expansion and excellence in governance. Outside his professional commitments, Bhashaka is an enthusiastic adrenaline off-roader, reflecting his passion for taking challenges and showing resilience beyond the boardroom.