Dhammika Perera

Kulappu Arachchige Don Dhammika Perera, commonly known as Dhammika Perera (born December 28, 1967), is a Sri Lankan businessman, philanthropist, and politician.[2] He is one of the wealthiest people in Sri Lanka.[3] Perera is known as a specialist in corporate re-engineering and revival.[4] As of 2013 he controlled 23 listed companies,[4] and has made significant investments in healthcare technology.[5][6] He is also known for frequently addressing policy for the country.[7]

Dhammika Perera
MP
Minister of Investment Promotion
In office
24 June 2022 – 10 July 2022
PresidentGotabaya Rajapaksa
Prime MinisterRanil Wickramasinghe
Member of Parliament
for National List
Assumed office
22 June 2022
Preceded byBasil Rajapaksa
Personal details
Born (1967-12-28) December 28, 1967
Payagala, Kalutara, Sri Lanka.
Political partySri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (2022 - present)
SpousePriscilla Perera[1]
Children3
EducationTaxila Central College, Horana
OccupationBusinessman, investor, philanthropist, politician
Websitewww.dhammikaperera.lk

On June 22 2022, Perera was sworn in as a National list member of Parliament, after being proposed to the Election Commission by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, to fill the seat vacated by the resignation of former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa.[8] On June 24, he was sworn in as the Minister of Investment Promotion.[9] Days later on 10 July, he resigned from his ministerial position.[10]

Biography

Perera was born in 1967 in Payagala.

He began a business venture in 1986 at the age of 19 after completing his primary and secondary Education at Taxila Central College, Horana. He studied electronics at the University of Moratuwa, Katubedda, but dropped out to follow his business interests.[4][3]

Career

In 1987, Perera moved to Taiwan to follow his career in technical training for three months and returned to Sri Lanka to start his business making slot machines.[4]

Perera started a machine manufacturing business in 1987 close to his residence in Payagala and continued the business until 1991. He then had to move to car sales in Paiyagala following a ban imposed on the jackpot and other machinery businesses by then-President Ranasinghe Premadasa.[11]

He also ran Tito Electronics, an electronic shop repairing electronic circuit boards in Colpetty. He then started a casino business in 1993, which is now owned and managed by his two brothers.[12] He started a business producing and selling neon bulbs in 1995, at a time when none of the manufacturers was keen on selling those bulbs. He met then International Monetary Fund resident representative in Sri Lanka Nadeem Ul Haque in 1998.[3]

He acquired a majority stake in Pan Asia Bank in 2000, at a time when the bank was regarded as a loss-making financial institution. He met investor Nimal Perera after acquiring the Pan Asia Bank stake.[13] In 2003, he ventured into large-scale businesses and took over the ownership of Royal Ceramics, at a time when the company was making losses. [14] He has been the executive director of Vallibel Finance since 2014.

Perera (second from left) inspecting the construction site of Denawaka Ganga Mini Hydro Power Project, a subsidiary of Vallibel Power Erathna, October 2010

In 2013, Perera became Sri Lanka's wealthiest individual, with a net worth estimated by Forbes Asia at 72.6 billion LKR (approx. 550 million US dollars).[15]

He holds majority stakes in Vallibel Finance, Vallibel Power Erathna, The Fortress Resorts, The Queensbury Leisure Ltd and Delmege Limited. He is the current Co-Chairman of Hayleys, Royal Ceramics Lanka, Horana Plantations and LB Finance. He is a member of the board of directors of Amaya Leisure, Haycarb, Hayleys Fabric PLC, The Kingsbury, Dipped Products, and Lanka Floortiles.[16]

Perera became the chairman of Lanka Tiles in 2017 and was appointed as the co-chairman of Singer (Sri Lanka) in October 2017 after Hayleys agreed to buy Singer.[17][18] Perera was appointed as the chairman of Director Board of Lanka Ceramic PLC in 2017 but he resigned from the position on 31 August 2018.[19] He was also appointed as chairman of Board of Directors of Lanka Walltiles in 2017.[20]

In July 2019, Perera and his company Hayleys were accused by MP Kanaka Herath of earning income through the illegal import of garbage from the United Kingdom.[21][22] Hayleys has since denied any wrongdoing in the matter and highlighted the fact that the Group's logistics arm was merely providing logistics services including storage, value addition and re-exportation for its client Ceylon Metal Processing Corporation for a resource recovery operation.[23] Calling for a press conference on 22 July 2019, the managing director of Hayleys Advantis Limited, Ruwan Waidyaratne, categorically denied the allegations levelled against the company. In relation to 130 container loads of used mattresses that were stored at their Free Zone yard premises, the company clarified that the mattresses were imported by Ceylon Metal Processing Corporation (Pvt) Limited, the actual owner of the cargo.[24]

As per the CSE filing, on 10 June 2022 Perera resigned from the boards of directors of Hayleys PLC, Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC, Hayleys Fabric PLC, Hayleys Leisure PLC, Haycarb PLC, and The Kingsbury PLC.[25] Hayleys and subsidiaries separately announced his resignation from the Board of Directors. Companies which announced the move on 10 June 2022 included Hayleys PLC and its subsidiaries, Vallibel One PLC and its subsidiaries, Singer Sri Lanka PLC and its subsidiaries, Royal Ceramics Group, Lanka Walltiles Group and LB Finance PLC. In most of these entities, he was either the Chairman or Executive Director. [26]

Philanthropic work

In October 2019, Perera and his wife Priscilla founded a private charity, Dhammika and Priscilla Perera Foundation (DP Foundation) with the aim of improving education and healthcare standards in Sri Lanka.[27] The foundation is organized into two impact areas: education and healthcare.

In 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka, Perera introduced a philanthropic initiative titled DP Education for students to study online free of charge. He collaborated with the University of Moratuwa to offer a diploma to students aged 18 and above bundling mathematics, IT and English through the platform.[28]

Publications

In September 2019, Perera published a document Sri Lanka 2030: A Developed Nation, with policy recommendations for 21 ministries with the aim of increasing Sri Lanka's per capita income to $12,000 by 2030.[29] Following is the list of recommendations given for individual ministries:

  1. Ministry of National Security: A nation rich in safety and freedom[30]
  2. Ministry of Finance and Planning: A nation rich in wealth[31]
  3. Ministry of Education: A nation rich in human capital[32]
  4. Ministry of Higher Education: A nation rich in human capital[33]
  5. Ministry of Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET): A nation rich in human capital[34]
  6. Ministry of Social Development: A nation rich in happiness[35]
  7. Ministry of Regional Development: A nation rich in convenience[36]
  8. Ministry of Justice and Prison Reforms: A nation rich in discipline[37]
  9. Ministry of Agriculture and agro-based industry: A nation rich in prosperity[38]
  10. Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources: A nation rich in biomes[39]
  11. Ministry of Health: A nation rich in wellbeing[40]
  12. Ministry of Investment Promotion and Job Creation: A nation rich in industries[41]
  13. Ministry of Foreign Affairs: A nation rich in diplomacy[42]
  14. Ministry of Information and Communication Technology: A nation rich in technology[43]
  15. Ministry of Transport: A nation rich in mobility[44]
  16. Ministry of Ports and Shipping: A nation rich in maritime logistics[45]
  17. Ministry of Tourism: A nation rich in hospitality[46]
  18. Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony: A nation rich in unity[47]
  19. Ministry of Arts and Culture: A nation rich in heritage[48]
  20. Ministry of Fisheries: A nation rich in fish trade[49]
  21. Ministry of Civil Aviation: A nation rich in connectivity[50]

In May 2022, he outlined 12 strategies that aimed to generate an additional inflow of USD 8 billion per annum.[51]

See also

References
  1. "Dhammika Perera and wife Priscilla launch DP Kids free online learning platform". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 2020-12-21.
  2. Weerasooriya, Sahan. "SC in split decision clears way for Dhammika Perera as NL MP". Retrieved 2022-06-23.
  3. "Dhammika Perera: Awakening The Giants". Business Today. Archived from the original on 2022-01-21.
  4. Forbes Guest (20 November 2013). "Sri Lankan Dhammika Perera's Master Plan". Forbes. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  5. "Dhammika to invest in two digital healthcare platforms". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 2020-06-06.
  6. "Dhammika Perera picks up last of world's 50 Bentley Mulsanne Hallmarks". ft.lk. Daily Financial Times. 15 February 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  7. "Dhammika Perera prescribes policy dose | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2020-06-06.
  8. "Dhammika Perera sworn in as a Member of Parliament". News First. 22 June 2022.
  9. "Dhammika Perera sworn in as a minister". www.adaderana.lk. Retrieved 2022-06-24.
  10. "Dhammika Perera resigns from Ministerial Post". News First. 10 July 2022. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  11. "busine01". www.island.lk. Retrieved 2020-06-06.
  12. CN (2022-06-07). "Dhammika Perera responds to the tax evasion allegation in connection to Bally's Pvt. Ltd (VIDEO)". LNW Lanka News Web. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  13. Guest, Forbes. "Sri Lankan Dhammika Perera's Master Plan". Forbes. Retrieved 2022-07-08.
  14. "RCL takeover to cost Rs. 820m". Sunday Times. Retrieved 2022-07-07.
  15. Ratnaweera, Jay (8 December 2013). "Dhammika Perera, Richest Man In Sri Lanka". thesundayleader.lk. The Sunday Leader. Archived from the original on 2016-08-22. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  16. "Dhammika Perera". My Life. Archived from the original on 2021-07-25. Retrieved 2020-06-06.
  17. "Mohan and Dhammika appointed as Singer Chairman and Co-Chairman". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 2020-06-06.
  18. "Hayleys to acquire Singer Sri Lanka for Rs.12.5bn". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 2020-06-06.
  19. LBO (2018-09-05). "Dhammika Perera resigns from Lanka Ceramic Director Board". Lanka Business Online. Retrieved 2020-06-06.
  20. "Dhammika Perera appointed Chairman of Board of Directors of Lanka Walltiles". Daily News. Retrieved 2020-06-06.
  21. "Money laundering behind the garbage scam? - MP Kanaka Herath". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 2019-07-27. Retrieved 2020-06-06.
  22. "BOI to take stern action against company responsible for importing waste". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 2019-07-21. Retrieved 2020-06-06.
  23. "Hayleys says no wrongdoing in free zone operations | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  24. "Hayleys Free Zone slams garbage shipment allegations". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  25. "Sri Lanka business magnate Dhammika Perera leaves director boards; speculation rife". EconomyNext. 2022-06-10. Retrieved 2022-06-23.
  26. "Minister Dhammika Perera in the making | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2022-06-23.
  27. "University of Moratuwa and Dhammika and Priscilla Perera Foundation to boost skilled workforce | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2022-07-07.
  28. "DP Education online platform draws half a million students | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2021-09-02.
  29. "Dhammika designs 'SL 2030: A Developed Nation' | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
  30. "Ministry of National Security: A nation rich in safety and freedom | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
  31. "Ministry of Finance and Planning: A nation rich in wealth | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
  32. "Ministry of Education: A nation rich in human capital | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
  33. "Ministry of Higher Education: A nation rich in human capital | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
  34. "Ministry of Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET): A nation rich in human capital | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
  35. "Ministry of Social Development: A nation rich in happiness | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
  36. "Ministry of Regional Development: A nation rich in convenience | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
  37. "Ministry of Justice and Prison Reforms: A nation rich in discipline | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
  38. "Ministry of Agriculture and agro-based industry: A nation rich in prosperity | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
  39. "Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources: A nation rich in biomes | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
  40. "Ministry of Health: A nation rich in wellbeing | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
  41. "Ministry of Investment Promotion and Job Creation: A nation rich in industries | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
  42. "Ministry of Foreign Affairs: A nation rich in diplomacy | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
  43. "Ministry of Information and Communication Technology: A nation rich in technology | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
  44. "Ministry of Transport: A nation rich in mobility | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
  45. "Ministry of Ports and Shipping: A nation rich in maritime logistics | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
  46. "Ministry of Tourism: A nation rich in hospitality | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
  47. "Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony: A nation rich in unity | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
  48. "Ministry of Arts and Culture: A nation rich in heritage | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
  49. "Ministry of Fisheries: A nation rich in fish trade | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
  50. "Ministry of Civil Aviation: A nation rich in connectivity | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
  51. "Dhammika outlines 12 strategies to boost forex earnings by $ 8 b | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2022-07-04. Business leader Dhammika Perera has unveiled 12 strategies that can boost much-needed dollar earnings and help Sri Lanka come out of the prolonged foreign exchange shortage...
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