Mohan Pandithage, Chairman and Chief Executive of Hayleys PLC, the leading conglomerate in Sri Lanka, has been appointed as the Honorary Consul of United Mexican States (Mexico) to Sri Lanka effective 13th September 2011.
This appointment was announced by the President of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, and the Minister of External Affairs, Professor G. L. Peiris.
As Honorary Consul of Mexico, Mr. Pandithage would provide leadership in promotion of trade, economic cooperation and friendship between the two countries. He will help facilitate investments, trade and services, and help build strong cultural and strategic bilateral relations between Mexico and Sri Lanka.
An Alumni of Ananda College, Mr. Pandithage, is a well-known corporate figure. He has contributed immensely to public policy development and in attracting foreign direct investments to Sri Lanka. In addition, his managerial expertise has been sought by the Public sector for the implementation of large infrastructure projects.
A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport, UK, Mr. Pandithage has held many memberships in the American Bureau of Shipping, Presidential Committee on Maritime Matters, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and the Council of the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon.
He has served as a Board Director of Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Jaya Container Terminals Ltd and is currently a Director of Sri Lanka Port Management Consultancy Services Ltd. He is a former Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Ceylon Association of Ships’ Agents, and presently serves on its Advisory Committee. Mr. Pandithage was adjudged the Best Shipping Personality in 2004 by the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, Sri Lanka. In addition, he serves as a Board Director at Diesel & Motor Engineering Co. PLC
Mr. Pandithage has a distinguished career at Hayleys, one of Sri Lanka’s largest multinationals. He joined Hayleys as a Management Trainee in 1969. During his tenure of over 40 years at Hayleys, he has functioned in many different roles, taking on additional responsibilities, particularly in the Hayleys Group’s transportation and logistics sector, Hayleys Advantis. He is credited with the success of Hayleys Advantis , and in 1988 Mr. Pandithage was appointed its Managing Director. He was elected a Board Member of Hayleys PLC in the same year, and in January 2007 was appointed Deputy Chairman of Hayleys PLC. In July 2009, Mr. Pandithage reached the pinnacle of his career, when he was appointed Chairman and Chief Executive of Hayleys PLC. Under Mr. Pandithage’s stewardship, the Hayleys Group focused on seeking both equity and management control in all its businesses, whilst exiting from passive investments. The Group has expanded its core operations both in Sri Lanka and overseas.
