LAUGFS Holdings Limited Group Executive Vice Chairman Mithila Wegapitiya and Director/Cluster Chief Executive Officer of LAUGFS Gas PLC, Dr. Niroshan J. Pieries, have been recognised at the prestigious 45 Under 45 Leadership Excellence Platinum Awards organised by the Global CEO Forum, in recognition of their exceptional contributions to leadership, innovation, and business excellence.
The internationally acclaimed awards programme honours outstanding business leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate professionals under the age of 45 who have demonstrated exemplary strategic leadership, significant industry impact, and a proven ability to drive organisational growth and transformation.
The recognition accorded to Wegapitiya and Dr. Pieries underscores LAUGFS Holdings’ commitment to fostering a culture of innovation, leadership excellence, and professional development. As one of Sri Lanka’s leading diversified conglomerates, LAUGFS continues to invest in empowering visionary leaders capable of navigating dynamic business environments while delivering sustainable value to stakeholders.
A technology entrepreneur and advocate for innovation, Wegapitiya has built an accomplished international career spanning management and finance, global marketing, information technology, and digital transformation. Over the past decade, he has worked with globally renowned organisations including Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Deutsche Bank, Virtusa Corporation, and Ve Interactive, supporting markets across Sri Lanka, the Asia-Pacific region, and the Americas.
Recognised as a thought leader in emerging technologies, he has championed initiatives in Intelligent Automation, Robotic Process Automation, and Blockchain, spearheading enterprise digital transformation projects across multiple industries. In 2016, he co-founded POTENZA, a global technology consultancy specialising in SAP Consulting, Data Analytics, and Intelligent Automation, which today operates in eleven countries and serves leading regional and international brands.
Wegapitiya also serves on several key industry bodies, including the Executive Committee of SLASSCOM’s Intelligent Automation Centre of Excellence and the Board of FITIS. He is also the youngest board member of Sri Lanka CERT|CC, the national agency responsible for cybersecurity and threat-response coordination.
Dr. Niroshan J. Pieries brings more than two decades of professional experience across a diverse range of sectors, including energy, lubricants, logistics, telecommunications, banking, insurance, and customer service. Having held numerous senior leadership roles within the LAUGFS Group, he has played an instrumental role in driving business transformation, operational excellence, strategic growth, and brand development across multiple business verticals.
Their recognition at the 45 Under 45 Leadership Excellence Platinum Awards reflects not only their individual achievements but also LAUGFS’ continued success in nurturing transformative leadership that drives innovation and sustainable business growth.
HNB Partners with Hayleys Agriculture to Offer Leasing Solutions for the Agricultural Sector
HNB PLC has entered into a strategic partnership with Hayleys Agriculture Holdings Ltd to enhance access to modern agricultural machinery through tailored leasing solutions, supporting the growth and mechanisation of Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector.
Through the collaboration, HNB will provide financing facilities for farmers and agribusinesses seeking to acquire tractors, combine harvesters, and other essential agricultural equipment marketed by Hayleys Agriculture under the globally recognised Kubota and Agrotech brands.
The leasing programme covers a comprehensive range of agricultural machinery, including tractors such as the Kubota L4508, E-Kubota EK3 471 4WD, and E-Kubota EK3 501 2WD models. The offering also includes combine harvesters such as the Kubota DC 93G, Kubota DC 70G, and Agrotech 110 Pro, as well as additional equipment including the Kubota K15 Plus Power Tiller, Agrotech Belt Tractor, and Agrotech Rice Milling Machine.
Commenting on the partnership, HNB Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Sanjay Wijemanne said, “This partnership reflects our continued commitment to strengthening Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector and supporting the broader economy. By providing practical and accessible leasing solutions for advanced agricultural machinery, we are enabling farmers to improve productivity, build resilience, and make long-term investments with greater confidence.”
The initiative comes at a crucial time for the country’s agricultural industry, where increased mechanisation, efficiency, and productivity are key to ensuring food security and sustainable sector development. By combining HNB’s financial expertise with Hayleys Agriculture’s leadership in agricultural solutions, the partnership aims to provide farmers and agribusinesses with reliable access to advanced technologies that support improved operational performance.
Hayleys Agriculture Holdings Ltd Managing Director Jayanthi Dharmasena stated, “Our collaboration with HNB marks an important milestone in expanding access to world-class agricultural machinery across Sri Lanka. By bringing together dependable financing solutions and globally recognised technology, we seek to empower farmers and agribusinesses to enhance efficiency, increase productivity, and achieve sustainable growth.”
LAUGFS Executives Honoured at 45 Under 45 CEO Forum Awards
