Asitha Samaraweera joins Atlas Axillia as Managing Director

Asitha Samaraweera has joined Atlas Axillia Co. Ltd., a Hemas Holdings group company, as Managing Director to further strengthen its market leading position and drive its growth plans. 

“Asitha is a talented leader with an impressive track record in growing consumer businesses,” said Hemas Holdings PLC Group CEO Steven Enderby. “As we seek to drive continued growth for Atlas in the school and office space, both locally and regionally, Asitha has an exciting challenge ahead of him,” he adds

With 12 years’ experience in leading FMCG businesses, Asitha was the CEO of CBL Cocos Ltd., and CBL Global Foods, both subsidiaries of Ceylon Biscuits Ltd., before joining Atlas Axillia.  Prior to his role at CBL, Asitha headed IFFCO (Frozen Foods) and GFI – leading Dubai-based FMCG companies - for six years, and has also served as CEO of Keells Food Products and Vice President at John Keells Holdings PLC.    

He has a background in marketing with a M.Sc. in International Accounting and Finance from London School of Economics, and a B.Sc. in Business Administration from Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA.  

“This is an exciting opportunity, to lead and work with an enthusiastic and well-experienced team that has a proven track record of building and growing one of Sri Lanka’s most loved brands,” said Atlas Axillia Managing Director Asitha Samaraweera.  

He added: “I look forward to taking them on the next stage of their journey: Becoming the leading office and school stationary supplier locally and regionally.”

Atlas Axillia Co. Ltd. is one of Sri Lanka’s most respected local brands and is a market leader in school stationery and notebooks, pens, pencils and colour products, with products retailed in over 70,000 outlets across Sri Lanka.  Atlas Axillia brands include ‘Atlas’, ‘Zebra X’, ‘Homerun’ and ‘Innov8’.   The brand ‘Atlas’ has created a strong connection with the Sri Lankan consumer, fuelled by a passion for providing schoolchildren with the essential tools for success, and has been voted Sri Lanka’s most loved brand in 2017.