“ LAUGFS is one of the largest diversified business conglomerates and a trusted name in Sri Lanka. Founded in 1995, LAUGFS today has expanded across 20 industries in Sri Lanka, UAE, Bangaladesh, USA and the Netherlands, establishing a strong presence as a leader and pioneer in the power and energy, consumer retail, industrial, services, leisure and logistics sectors. ”
LAUGFS is one of the largest diversified business conglomerates and a trusted name in Sri Lanka. Founded in 1995, LAUGFS today has expanded across 20 industries in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, UAE, USA and the Netherlands, establishing a strong presence as a leader and pioneer in the power and energy, consumer retail, industrial, services, leisure and logistics sectors.
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.
Mithila Wegapitiya is a technology entrepreneur and innovation advocate with a background spanning Management & Finance, Global Marketing, and Information Technology & Interactive Entertainment. Over the past 12 years, he has built a diverse career across leading global organizations including Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (London), Ve Interactive (London), Deutsche Bank (Asia), and Virtusa Corporation, serving markets across Sri Lanka, the Asia-Pacific region, and the Americas.
A recognized thought leader in the Asia-Pacific region, Mithila actively champions emerging technologies such as Intelligent Automation, Robotic Process Automation, and Blockchain, driving awareness and enterprise adoption in digital transformation initiatives.
In 2016, Mithila co-founded POTENZA, a global technology consultancy specializing in SAP Consulting, Data & Analytics, and Intelligent Automation. Headquartered in Singapore, with offices in Sri Lanka and Australia, POTENZA operates across eleven countries with a team of 50+ consultants, serving leading regional and global brands including Bombardier, Bacardi, Coles, AIA Insurance, Hatton National Bank, Citi, Chip Mong, and others. The company has evolved into a multi-million-dollar enterprise recognized for its deep expertise in enterprise technology and digital transformation.
Mithila holds a Bachelor’s degree from Aston University (UK) and an MBA from the Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM), University of Sri Jayewardenepura. He was featured in Echelon Magazine’s “Next Generation 100 Leaders” (NE100) list, which highlights emerging leaders driving transformative change in Sri Lanka’s private sector.
Beyond entrepreneurship, Mithila plays an active role in industry development. He has served on the Executive Committee of SLASSCOM’s Intelligent Automation Center of Excellence, the Board of the Federation of Information Technology Industry Sri Lanka (FITIS), and is the youngest board member of Sri Lanka CERT|CC (Computer Emergency Readiness Team) — the national body responsible for cybersecurity and threat-response coordination in Sri Lanka.
Dhanusha Muthukumarana is an award-winning innovator with a passion for innovation-driven business transformation, management, and economics, helping organizations achieve exponential performance and sustainable growth. With over 25 years of global experience across multiple industries including; Banking & Finance, FMCG, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Leisure, Logistics, Enterprise Systems, Systems Integration, and Technology Consulting he has guided numerous organizations worldwide in adopting technology strategically to drive impactful transformation.
In 2016, Dhanusha co-founded POTENZA, which has since evolved into an award-winning global technology consultancy with operational hubs in Sri Lanka, Singapore, and Australia, serving a global clientele through innovative solutions in SAP Consulting, Data & Analytics, and Intelligent Automation.
Prior to founding POTENZA, Dhanusha established and led the Enterprise Architecture Practice at the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) under its Technology Services Division, serving as Chief Enterprise Architect. Earlier, he headed the Enterprise Software & IT Strategic Projects Division at Hatton National Bank PLC, where he strengthened the bank’s digital backbone and spearheaded several innovations that became key enablers of its digital transformation journey. He has also held senior technology leadership roles including Group Head of Information Technology at Hemas Holdings PLC, Enterprise Technology Specialist for Microsoft’s Southeast Asia New Markets, and Integrated Technology Consultant and Senior Systems Engineer at John Keells Holdings PLC.
Dhanusha is an alumnus of the University of Oxford, UK (Saïd Business School), where he completed his Executive Education in Strategic Innovation, ranking among the top performers in his cohort. He holds an MBA from the Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM), University of Sri Jayewardenepura, and postgraduate qualifications in Information Technology, and is currently pursuing postgraduate studies in Financial Economics at the University of Colombo.
He is a professional member of The British Computer Society (MBCS), the Institute of Engineering & Technology (MIET, UK), and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (MIEEE, USA). He is also a Certified Scrum Master (CSM) and an Enterprise Architect.
In recognition of his contributions to the technology and business community, Dhanusha was named among Echelon Magazine’s Top 100 Next-Generation Business Leaders of Sri Lanka (NE100) in 2019. In 2020, he was appointed by SLASSCOM to the National Advisory Committee tasked with developing Sri Lanka’s Intelligent Automation Strategy under the national Export Development Program, and in 2021, he joined the SLASSCOM Advisory Committee on ICT Capacity Building, later he also served as a General Council Member of SLASSCOM.
Dhanusha is a frequent speaker and contributor at local, regional, and global business and technology forums. In 2021, he was invited by Forbes (USA) to join its prestigious Forbes Technology Council, becoming the first Sri Lankan to be inducted into this global community of technology leaders.
He currently serves as Managing Director and Global CEO of POTENZA (Sri Lanka, Singapore, and Australia), CTO of Model Citizn (a financial-modelling and analytics company based in Melbourne), and Non-Executive Director of Kasper Global (an embedded automation and machine learning company) and IDEA Propulsion Labs, Singapore. Dhanusha is also a member of the Rotary Club of Colombo West, through which he contributes to community and social development initiatives.
Mr. Sumith Adhihetty is a seasoned business leader with over three decades of experience in the Financial Services, Investment, and corporate sectors. He has played a pivotal role in shaping the growth trajectory of some of Sri Lanka’s leading financial institutions.
He was the former Managing Director of LB Finance PLC, a position he held for over 20 years, during which the company transformed into one of the most respected and profitable finance companies in Sri Lanka. Under his leadership, LB Finance achieved consistent growth, strong governance practices, and industry-leading profitability.
Mr. Adhihetty is also a Director of Vallibel One PLC, the diversified investment holding company of the Vallibel Group. He serves on the Boards of several listed and unlisted companies across sectors including banking, finance, investments, manufacturing, and leisure, providing strategic oversight and governance expertise.
Renowned for his strategic vision and financial acumen, Mr. Adhihetty has been instrumental in driving innovations in the financial services sector. His deep knowledge of credit markets, capital raising, and investment management continues to add significant value to the boards on which he serves.
At LAUGFS, Mr. Adhihetty’s presence brings financial management, risk management insight, and long-term value creation strategies, contributing to the Group’s governance framework and sustainable growth ambitions.
Mr. R. Selvaskandan is a seasoned Attorney-at-Law (Sri Lanka) and Solicitor (England & Wales and Hong Kong) with over 35 years of international experience in legal practice and corporate management across Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, and Hong Kong.
He was previously a Senior Partner at a leading law firm in Hong Kong before joining the property sector of the C T Holdings Group. He currently serves as Chairman of C T Land Development PLC, Deputy Chairman of C T Properties Limited, and is a Partner at Varners, a reputed law firm based in Sri Lanka.
Mr. Selvaskandan’s extensive experience encompasses corporate governance, property law, and cross-border transactions, making him a valuable contributor to both the private and public sectors.
Mr. G. A. R. D. Prasanna is a proven business leader with extensive experience across multiple industries including, Manufacturing, Banking and Finance, Leisure, Plantations, and Hydropower Generation. Over the years, he has established himself as a strategist in business management and as a trusted voice in corporate governance, having led both quoted and unquoted companies as Chairman, Managing Director, and Independent Director.
A strong advocate of Integrated Thinking, Mr. Prasanna champions the alignment of strategy, governance, sustainability, and performance. He emphasizes breaking down organizational silos and fostering cross-functional collaboration to ensure that financial, human, social, intellectual, and natural capitals are integrated into decision-making. Through this approach, he has consistently promoted holistic value creation, stakeholder inclusiveness, and future-oriented strategy, enabling organizations to build resilience, strengthen investor and community trust, and achieve sustainable long-term growth.
During his tenure as Chairman of Pan Asia Banking Corporation (July 2017 – May 2021), he steered the bank to significant business growth and exceptional performance. Currently, as Chairman of LB Finance PLC, he is spearheading its digital transformation journey, positioning LB as a leader in delivering intuitive products, services, and platforms that respond to evolving customer and business needs.
In addition, Mr. Prasanna serves on the Boards of several leading corporates, including L B Finance PLC, Royal Ceramics Lanka PLC, La Forteresse (Private) Limited, Alternate Power Systems (Pvt) Ltd, Vallibel Holdings (Pvt) Ltd, Vallibel Investment (Pvt) Ltd, Vallibel Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, Vallibel Leisure (Pvt) Ltd, Vallibel X (Pvt) Ltd, Vallibel Three (Pvt) Ltd, Delmege Insurance Brokers (Private) Limited, DHT Cement (Private) Limited, Wise Property Solutions PVT LTD, Wise Homes PVT LTD, Grand Mark PVT LTD and Anuradha Traders (Pvt) Ltd.
Mr. Jonathan Alles holds a First Class MBA in Finance from the University of Stirling, UK, and is an Associate Member of the Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka.
He was the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Hatton National Bank PLC (HNB) and counts over 37 years of extensive banking experience, having served at leading international institutions including the National Bank of Abu Dhabi, Saudi British Bank–Riyadh, British Bank of the Middle East, and HSBC in both Dubai and Colombo, before assuming leadership at HNB.
During his tenure, he also played a pivotal role in shaping the Sri Lankan and regional banking sector. He was a Director of the Sri Lanka Banks’ Association (SLBA) and served as its chairman from 2014 to 2016. He further served as Chairman of the Asian Bankers Association for three years from 2018, was a Member of its Board of Directors, and chaired its Advisory Committee, strengthening international cooperation in the financial services industry.
Mr. Alles currently serves as an Independent Non-Executive Director of Hayleys PLC, Alumex PLC, Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC, and The Kingsbury PLC. In addition, he sits on the Boards of Vallibel One PLC, United Motors Lanka PLC, Ceylon Beverage Holdings PLC, Lion Brewery Ceylon PLC, and DHT Cement (Private) Limited.
With his extensive experience in corporate leadership, governance, and global banking operations, Mr. Alles brings strategic foresight, financial discipline, and strong stakeholder engagement capabilities to the boards on which he serves, guiding organizations to strengthen resilience, growth, and long-term value creation.
Mr. Chethiya Umagiliya holds a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) from the University of Azteca, North America, where his doctoral research explored the integration of corporate finance principles into state-owned enterprises and the design of restructuring strategies for both public and private entities. He also holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Suffolk, United Kingdom, completed through the British School of Commerce in Sri Lanka, and a Master of Laws (LLM) from Buckinghamshire New University, United Kingdom. He is a Member of the Chartered Management Institute (MCMI – UK), a Professional Member of the Financial Management Association (FMA – USA), a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Professional Managers of Sri Lanka (FCPM), and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (MCIM – UK).
Mr. Umagiliya currently serves as Chairman of Uni Dil Packaging Limited and Uni Dil Solutions Limited, Sri Lanka’s leading packaging solutions providers. He is also a Non-Executive Director of DHT Cement (Pvt) Ltd (PowerTech), and an Independent Non-Executive Director of Fortress Resorts PLC, Swisstek (Ceylon) PLC, and Swisstek Aluminum Limited. Most recently, he was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of East West Properties PLC. He previously served as a Director of Pan Asia Banking Corporation PLC.
Across these roles, Mr. Umagiliya has played a pivotal part in brand strategy development, corporate governance, financial restructuring, strengthening internal controls, and positioning organizations for sustainable growth. His multidisciplinary expertise spanning finance, management, law, and marketing, together with his broad board-level experience across multiple industries, make him a highly valuable contributor to the strategic direction, governance, and long-term value creation of the companies he serves.
Mr. Laksiri Abeysekera is a Senior Fellow of the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF), headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, where he supports the establishment of ICRAF’s country office and ongoing projects in Sri Lanka.
Until June 2020, he served as Vice-Chair of the Audit Committee of the Low-Income Investment Fund (LIIF), based in San Francisco, USA, and currently serves as a Non-Executive Director of the Global EverGreening Alliance, Melbourne, Australia.
Mr. Abeysekera brings over 45 years of international experience in strategic financial management, corporate services, risk management, change management, and governance across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. He has served in senior roles such as Deputy Director – Finance and Administration, International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Sri Lanka, Deputy Director General – Corporate Services, World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), Nairobi, and Director, International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), UAE. He has also held senior leadership positions in Sri Lankan public and private sector entities.
Mr. Abeysekera is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), UK, and a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA).
