Dr. W.K.H. Wegapitiya is the Founder Chairman of LAUGFS Holdings Limited, the parent company of LAUGFS Gas PLC, one of Sri Lanka’s most diversified business conglomerates. Under his visionary leadership, LAUGFS has expanded across a wide range of industries, including LPG distribution, petroleum, lubricants, power generation, property development, shipping, heavy engineering, automobile services, leisure and restaurants, consumer retailing, salt manufacturing, and industrial solid tyre production.
In 2011, upon the listing of LAUGFS Gas PLC on the Colombo Stock Exchange, Dr. Wegapitiya was appointed as its Executive Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, an MBA and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from the Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM), University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
Dr. Wegapitiya’s entrepreneurial journey began in 1990 with the establishment of a small freight forwarding business following a brief tenure at the Ceylon Shipping Corporation. In 1995, he co-founded Gas Auto Lanka (Pvt) Limited, the pioneering enterprise that evolved into today’s diversified LAUGFS Group. His visionary leadership, resilience, and exceptional entrepreneurial drive have been pivotal in transforming LAUGFS into one of Sri Lanka’s most respected business groups within a remarkably short period.
A celebrated figure in Sri Lanka’s entrepreneurial community, Dr. Wegapitiya has been recognized multiple times as the Best Entrepreneur of the Year. He is a sought-after speaker, panelist, and thought leader on topics such as Business Excellence, Leadership, and Entrepreneurship, and is widely respected in global LPG and energy circles, frequently representing Sri Lanka at international forums on LPG and Energy Management.
Dr. Wegapitiya has also contributed his expertise to numerous public and private sector institutions. He has served as a Board Member of Sri Lanka Telecom PLC and Mobitel (Pvt) Limited, Past Chairman of the Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE), Senior Vice President and Executive Council Member of FCCISL, Executive Committee Member of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Member of the National Pay Commission, and Council Member of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.