INSEE welcomes Thusith Gunawarnasuriya as Chief Operating Officer

Tuesday, 28 January 2025 02:42 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Thusith Gunawarnasuriya

Siam City Cement (Lanka) Ltd., known as INSEE Cement, Sri Lanka’s leading and only fully integrated cement manufacturer, has announced the appointment of Thusith C. Gunawarnasuriya as Chief Operating Officer, effective 1 January 2025.

With over 24 years of diverse leadership experience spanning multiple industries, Gunawarnasuriya brings a remarkable track record of operational excellence, strategic insight, and innovation to INSEE.

Having dedicated a decade of his career to INSEE’s journey under Holcim (Lanka) Ltd., LafargeHolcim, and INSEE, Gunawarnasuriya has been instrumental in shaping the company’s operational strategies and driving its success. His contributions have left a lasting impact on INSEE’s growth and competitive edge.

Commenting on his appointment, Gunawarnasuriya said: “I am deeply honoured to take on this new role at INSEE, a company that I have been a part of and that embodies innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence. I look forward to working with our dedicated team to drive INSEE to new heights, contributing to INSEE’s mission of building a sustainable future for all.”

Beyond INSEE, Gunawarnasuriya’s impressive career encompasses leadership roles at leading multinational and local organisations, including Lion Brewery (Ceylon) PLC, Hemas Manufacturing Ltd., Fonterra Brands Lanka Ltd., GlaxoSmithKline, and MAS Active. His expertise spans Sri Lanka and key international markets, including India, Bangladesh, Switzerland, Thailand, and Kenya.

Gunawarnasuriya holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronic Engineering with honours from the University of Peradeniya, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Colombo, and a Master of Science in Business and Organisational Psychology from Coventry University, UK. He has also participated in Executive Leadership Development programs at IMD, Switzerland, and the National University of Singapore.

A recognised thought leader in business strategy, operations, and supply chain management, Gunawarnasuriya actively contributes to knowledge forums locally and globally. He is a member of renowned professional organisations, including IEEE (US), the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) UK, the Institute of Supply and Materials Management (ISMM) Sri Lanka, and the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL).

With his extensive expertise and visionary leadership, Gunawarnasuriya is poised to lead INSEE to greater heights, fostering sustainable growth and operational excellence in the years ahead.