The Capitalist – Business Desk
In a strategic move to strengthen leadership within its plantation sector, the LOLC Group has appointed Niveyn Nanayakkara to the Boards of Udapussellawa Plantations PLC, Hapugastenne Plantations PLC, and Tea Smallholders Factories PLC as Executive Director.
The appointment reflects the Group’s continued emphasis on integrating technology-driven leadership into its traditional business verticals, particularly within the plantation industry—an area that remains central to Sri Lanka’s export economy.
Nanayakkara is recognised as an emerging corporate leader within the LOLC ecosystem, where he plays a key role in advancing digital transformation initiatives across its globally diversified operations. His mandate spans multiple sectors, positioning him at the intersection of corporate strategy and technology-led innovation.
Beyond his latest appointments, he currently serves on the boards of several prominent Group entities, including Browns EV Ltd., Browns Power Holdings Ltd., Browns Hotels and Resorts Ltd., Browns Plantation Holdings Ltd., Maturata Plantations Ltd., Pussellawa Plantations Ltd., and Melfort Green Teas Ltd.. Through these roles, he contributes to strategic oversight across industries ranging from renewable energy and mobility to plantations and hospitality.
At board level, Nanayakkara is focused on enhancing operational efficiency and driving sustainable growth through the adoption of Artificial Intelligence. He is a strong proponent of a “human-in-the-loop” approach—leveraging automation while maintaining human oversight to ensure accountability, manage risk, and preserve operational discipline.
His leadership philosophy is grounded in a solid academic and professional foundation. Nanayakkara holds a Bachelor of Commerce with a double major in Accounting and Finance from the University of Melbourne. He has also completed a corporate leadership and technology programme conducted by Ernst & Young in collaboration with Stanford Universityand University of California, Berkeley, reflecting exposure to global best practices in enterprise innovation and digital transformation.
Industry observers note that such leadership appointments are increasingly vital as plantation companies face evolving challenges, including climate pressures, cost dynamics, and shifting global demand. With Nanayakkara’s entry, LOLC Group is expected to further align its plantation operations with modern, technology-enabled management practices.
As the Group continues to expand its footprint across sectors and geographies, the inclusion of forward-looking executives like Niveyn Nanayakkara signals a clear intent to blend legacy industries with next-generation innovation.
