Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka PLC has appointed Capt. Kolitha Jagath Kahanda as the Joint Managing Director of the company effective from 22 September.
Capt. Kahanda has been with the Group since 1993 and has been a member of the DCSL Board since 2006. According to DCSL Chairman and Managing Director Harry Jayawardena, Capt. Kahanda has successfully led the company’s entire manufacturing and distribution operations for the last several years.
He noted that Capt. Kahanda’s commitment and performance, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting restrictions and issues with supplies and distribution, have been exemplary.
Capt. Kahanda is an alumnus of both St. Thomas’ College Matale and Science College Matale. He has been with the Sri Lanka Army and Hilton Hotel Colombo before joining DCSL.
With an annual turnover of Rs. 100 billion, DCSL is the largest liquor producer in the country. DCSL pays approximately Rs. 75 billion yearly to the government as Excise tax and other taxes.
According to the Excise Department publications, DCSL has about 65% market share in the hard liquor segment.
Following the latest appointments, the Board of Directors of DCSL comprises Harry Jayawardena (Chairman and Managing Director), Capt. K.J. Kahanda (Joint Managing Director), Royle Jansz, N. De S. Aditya, Hasitha Jayawardena, Dr. A.N. Balasooriya, R. Seevarathnam and Stasshani Jayawardena