Exodus continues as Richard Pieris’ longstanding Director Paul Ratnayeke quits

Richard Pieris and Company Plc’s longstanding Director and senior corporate lawyer Paul Ratnayeke resigned last week completing what corporate analysts described as a “mass exodus” of directors from the Board since July last year. 

Previously longstanding Independent Non-Executive Director Prof. Lakshman R. Watawala, Independent Non-Executive Directors Prof. Kapila Goonasekera and Dr. Anura Ekanayake resigned. 

Dr. Ekanayake, Prof. Watawala and Prof. Goonasekera served in the Related Party Transactions Review Committee as well as the Audit Committee. The trio served in the Nominations Committee and Dr. Ekanayake and Prof. Watawala served in the Remuneration Committee.

In FY 2015/16, corporate analysts were surprised by RPC subsidiary Kegalle Plantations declaring an unusually high Rs. 45 per share dividend amounting to Rs. 1.125 billion despite a dip in profits.  

Following the exits, the remaining Directors on the RPC Board are Dr. Sena Yaddehige (Chairman), his son Shaminda Yaddehige (Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer), Sunil Liyanage and V. Perera while H.J. De Costa is the only remaining Independent Non-Executive Director with Prasanna Fernando and J.C. Korale being Independent Directors. 

For the nine months ended 31 December 2016, RPC Group turnover grew by 13% to Rs. 36.3 billion and operating profit by 22% to Rs. 3.8 billion. Post-tax profit was up 34% to Rs. 2.5 billion and net profit attributable to equity holders of the parent rose by 27% to Rs. 2.28 billion.

Last week Fitch Ratings affirmed Richard Pieris & Company Plc’s (RICH) National Long-Term rating at ‘A(lka)’ with a Stable Outlook. Fitch has also affirmed the national ratings on RICH’s outstanding senior unsecured debentures at ‘A(lka)’. RICH’s rating reflects the group’s strong diversification and market leadership in most end-markets and its established operations, Fitch added.