Founder - CEO
Saaraketha Holdings
Total years of experience :48 years, 8 Months
Founded Saaraketha Holdings in 2008, transforming it from greenfield status with a USD 100, 000 bootstrap investment; employing 140 people and empowering over 4, 000 rural smallholder farmers. Inspired by the ethical transformation of Sri Lanka’s apparel industry, aimed to replicate this in agriculture, achieving global organic certification and compliance standards. Saaraketha revolutionised farming through agri-technology, making it sustainable and fashionable. Grew the business to USD 10 million by 2022.
Expanded and grew sales from zero to USD 6 million in the space of four years, in the value-added fresh produce export and RTC space by developing new business and market opportunities in the UAE, GCC, European, and Maldives markets.
Co-founded Saraii, an eco-friendly, award-winning sustainable tourist resort in Weerawila, Hambantota, Sri Lanka. This venture serves as an alternative revenue model for agro based economies, prioritising people, planet, and profit. Constructed entirely with upcycled materials and featuring a saltwater pool, Saraii Village operates with no chemical use. The resort generates an annual turnover of USD 900, 000, employs 22 people, and economically impacts 60 families in the community.
MAS Holdings, is a USD 2 billion global apparel-tech conglomerate with 100, 000 employees across 35 world-classmanufacturing facilities in 14 countries, contributed significantly to sustainable and ethical manufacturing in collaborationwith leading global brands. Represented MAS Holdings in industry initiatives to expand Sri Lanka’s global reach, collaborating with industry pioneers to position Sri Lanka as the "preferred destination for ethical apparel solutions."
Assisted the Chairman in conceptualising and implementing strategies for the Joint Apparel Association Forum Sri Lanka (JAAFSL) and the National Committee for Economic Development (NCED) a committee mandated with shaping national policy and implementing initiatives to catalyze the economic development of the country, handpicked by the President of Sri Lanka.
Served in the elite Special Task Force (STF), deployed in anti-guerrilla operations in Eastern Sri Lanka and close protection duties for VVIPs. Trained by the UK's Special Air Service (SAS) and Israel's Mossad; served as an instructor at the STF Training Wing.
As second-in-command of the elite, Reconnaissance & Deep Operations Combat unit, led combat teams specialising in jungle based offensive deployments, providing leadership to a highly trained and coordinated SWAT division comprising 48 units of eight man teams.