The Maliban Group has announced a major leadership transition, with A.G. Kumudika Fernando being appointed as the new Chairperson, effective August 15, 2024. This appointment follows the recent passing of A.G. Ratnapala Samaraweera, the previous Chairman and Kumudika’s father.
Samaraweera was the son of A.G. Hinni Appuhamy, the legendary founder of Maliban, and upheld the family’s tradition of quality, excellence, and innovation. Kumudika Fernando, who has served as Managing Director for over a decade, is now set to lead the company into the future, continuing the Maliban legacy.
Trained under her father’s guidance, Fernando has played a pivotal role in managing the company’s operations, driving growth through product diversification, expanding exports, and entering new markets. Her commitment to excellence is deeply rooted in the Maliban tradition, and she is ready to steer the company towards new heights.
As a female leader, Kumudika is committed to maintaining Maliban’s benchmark for quality while fostering a more diverse and inclusive workplace. An alumna of Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya, Fernando holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Premed Biology from the Singapore American School and a Master’s Degree in Psychology from Notre Dame de Namur University, San Francisco.
“Under my leadership, I aim to carry forward the vision of our founder Chairman and our late Chairman, striving to keep Maliban’s promise of delivering unparalleled quality, excellence, and taste to the world. My ambition is to take the Maliban name to the world and establish it as a trusted, iconic global brand,” she said.
Maliban is one of Sri Lanka’s largest manufacturers and exporters of biscuits, confectionaries, and other ready-to-eat food products.