The INSEE Lanka CEO appointment marks a significant leadership milestone as Siam City Cement (Lanka) Limited names Eng. Thusith C. Gunawarnasuriya as Chief Executive Officer, reinforcing strategic continuity and long-term operational stability.
INSEE Lanka CEO appointment effective January 2026 ensures continuity
Siam City Cement (Lanka) Limited, operating under the INSEE Lanka brand, has announced the appointment of Eng. Thusith C. Gunawarnasuriya as its new Chief Executive Officer with effect from January 1, 2026. The leadership transition is positioned as a carefully planned move that strengthens organisational continuity while supporting the company’s long-term growth ambitions within Sri Lanka’s construction and infrastructure landscape.
Gunawarnasuriya succeeds Nandana Ekanayake, who will continue to serve as Chairman of INSEE Lanka. This arrangement ensures continuity at the board level and preserves institutional knowledge, providing stability during the leadership transition. Company officials indicated that the structure reflects confidence in the existing strategic direction while enabling operational leadership to evolve in line with market demands.
A long-standing contributor to INSEE Lanka’s corporate journey, Gunawarnasuriya has been closely associated with the organisation through its various transformations, including its earlier phases under Holcim (Lanka) Ltd and LafargeHolcim. Over the years, he has played pivotal roles that shaped both operational performance and strategic execution, earning recognition as a leader with a deep understanding of the company’s values, culture, and business priorities.
He rejoined INSEE Lanka in January 2025 as Chief Operating Officer, a role in which he delivered tangible results within a short period. During his tenure as COO, the company recorded topline growth, improved EBITDA performance, and strengthened internal capabilities through focused talent development initiatives. Industry observers noted that these outcomes reflected a disciplined approach to execution, operational excellence, and people leadership.
The INSEE Lanka CEO appointment brings to the helm a leader with more than 25 years of multi-industry and multi-country experience. Gunawarnasuriya’s expertise spans business strategy, supply chain transformation, and operational optimisation, areas that are increasingly critical as the cement and construction materials sector adapts to cost pressures, sustainability expectations, and evolving customer needs.
His professional career includes senior leadership roles at several prominent organisations, including Lion Brewery (Ceylon) PLC, Hemas Manufacturing, Fonterra Brands Lanka, GlaxoSmithKline, MAS Active, and DMS Software Engineering. These roles provided exposure to diverse sectors such as fast-moving consumer goods, manufacturing, technology, and industrial operations, contributing to a broad and adaptable leadership skill set.
In addition to his domestic experience, Gunawarnasuriya brings valuable international exposure, having worked across markets in India, Bangladesh, and Thailand. This regional perspective is expected to support INSEE Lanka’s efforts to benchmark operations against global best practices while responding effectively to local market dynamics.
Academically, Gunawarnasuriya is an alumnus of Dharmaraja College, Kandy, and holds a Bachelor of Science with honours in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Peradeniya. He also possesses an MBA from the University of Colombo and a Master of Science in Business and Organisational Psychology from Coventry University in the United Kingdom. This combination of technical, managerial, and behavioural expertise is widely regarded as a strong foundation for leading complex, people-driven organisations.
His professional development includes executive leadership programmes completed at IMD in Switzerland and the National University of Singapore, institutions recognised for developing senior global leaders. He is also an active member of several professional bodies, including the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers in the United States, the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in the United Kingdom, the Institute of Supply and Materials Management in Sri Lanka, and the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka.
Industry analysts view the INSEE Lanka CEO appointment as a signal of continuity rather than disruption. By promoting a leader with deep institutional knowledge and proven execution capability, the company appears focused on sustaining performance while navigating industry challenges such as cost volatility, sustainability transitions, and infrastructure demand cycles.
With Gunawarnasuriya assuming the chief executive role and Ekanayake continuing as Chairman, INSEE Lanka is positioned to maintain strategic stability while sharpening its operational focus. Stakeholders expect the leadership structure to support disciplined growth, workforce development, and long-term value creation across the organisation’s operations in Sri Lanka.