Mohan Pandithage appointed as Honorary Consul of Mexico to SL

Wednesday, 21 September 2011 01:42 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Chairman and Chief Executive of Hayleys PLC Mohan Pandithage has been appointed as the Honorary Consul of United Mexican States (Mexico) to Sri Lanka effective 13 September 2011.

This appointment has been announced by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Minister of External Affairs Professor G.L. Peiris. In the mandate as the Honorary Consul of Mexico, 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 cu ltural and strategic bilateral relations between Mexico and Sri Lanka.

An alumnus of Ananda College, Pandithage, is a well-known corporate figure. He has contributed immensely to public policy development and 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 and Transport, UK, Pandithage has held many memberships in the American Bureau of Shipping, Presidential Committee on Maritime Matters, Committee Member of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and a Council Member of the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon.

He has served as a Member of the 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. 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.

Pandithage had a distinguished career at Hayleys, one of Sri Lanka’s largest multinationals. He joined Hayleys as a Management Trainee in 1969, and continues to serve to date. During his tenure of 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 Pandithage was appointed as its Managing Director. He was elected as a Board Member of Hayleys PLC in the same year, and in January 2007 was appointed Deputy Chairman of Hayleys PLC.

In July 2009, Pandithage reached the pinnacle of his career, when he was appointed as the Chairman and Chief Executive of Hayleys PLC. Under Pandithage’s stewardship, 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, and the recent acquisitions would augur well to the growth of its businesses.