Senaka Alawattegama Appointed Director/CEO of Kelani Valley Plantations PLC

Mr. Alawattegama was also appointed as a Director to D P L Plantations (Pvt) Ltd, Kelani Valley Resorts (Pvt) Ltd, Mabroc Teas (Private) Limited and Kalupahana Power Company (Private) Limited.

With over 40 years of experience in the plantation sector, Mr. Alawattegama began his career at the Sri Lanka State Plantations Corporation before joining Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC (TTE PLC) at its inception. In February 2020, he was appointed Director/CEO, leading the company to significant milestones in sustainability, market growth and operational efficiency.

He currently serves as Deputy Chairman of the Colombo Tea Traders Association, member of the Committee of Ceylon Tea Road Map 2030, as well as the Committee of Management of the Estate Staffs’ Provident Society. He is a Past Chairman of The Planters’ Association of Ceylon, and a former Board Member of the Sri Lanka Tea Board, a former Board Member of the Rubber Research Institute, a Fellow of the National Institute of Plantation Management, Sri Lanka (FIPM) and holds an MBA from the London Metropolitan University, UK.

With his extensive expertise, proven leadership and influence within the industry, Mr. Alawattegama’s appointment marks a new chapter. Under the leadership of Dr. Roshan Rajadurai and Mr. Alawattegama, KVPL aims to further strengthen its market presence, elevate product excellence and drive innovation, while continuing to create shared value for stakeholders. 

Operating across Sri Lanka’s lush hill country and low country regions, KVPL produces world-renowned Ceylon Tea from celebrated estates including Pedro’s Lover’s Leap and Mahagastotte, as well as premium natural rubber from some of the nation’s most acclaimed plantations. 

Recognised as the Most Awarded No. 1 Company in Sri Lanka for 2022/2023 by LMD, KVPL has built a global reputation for environmental stewardship, ethical business practices, product quality and community empowerment. The company is widely recognised for its pioneering work in sustainable and regenerative agriculture, agroforestry and community development – becoming the first tea plantation company in the world to receive regenagri certification.

KVPL was the first Regional Plantation Company (RPC) in Sri Lanka to commit to the UN Global Compact’s 10 principles on human rights, labour standards, environment and anti-corruption and to pledge to the UN CEO Water Mandate in 2007. Its UN-recognised CSR programme, ‘A Home for Every Plantation Worker’, launched in 2006, has transformed plantation livelihoods through four pillars: living environment, health & nutrition, youth empowerment and community capacity building.

The company’s extensive certification portfolio includes ISO 22000/HACCP, Rainforest Alliance, GMP, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), USDA/NOP & EU Organic Rubber, FSC Chain of Custody, Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) and ECO Label Certification by the National Cleaner Production Centre (NCPC), Sri Lanka. 

KVPL was the first plantation company in Sri Lanka to be certified ISO 45001:2018 for Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) and the first RPC in the world to be certified as a Great Place to Work®. Its achievements have been recognised at the Commonwealth Business Excellence Awards, Global Sustainability and HR Awards, National HR Excellence Awards, Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Awards and the National Business Excellence Awards. KVPL has also won the CA Sri Lanka TAGS Gold Award for five consecutive years.

Mr. Senaka Alawattegama

Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Kelani Valley Plantations PLC

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