Rockland Group Marks 100 Years of Passion and Resilience with Prestigious Chairman's Awards

In a momentous celebration of its centenary, Rockland Group marked 100 years of grit, resilience, and passion at the Chairman's Awards 2024. A trailblazer in the beverage industry, Rockland Group is a fourth-generation company that employs over 500 individuals across Sri Lanka and overseas. With a diverse portfolio of over 500 products, the company continues to expand its global presence while upholding its rich heritage.

The Gajasingha Awards recipients (from L to R) : Manoj Rasiah (Head of Spirits), Sujeewa Dharshana Ramanayake (Senior Business Manager Sports & Social),  Sugeesh Wickramasinghe (Finance Manager), Graham Merricks (Head of International Sales), Danushka Othnapitiya (General Manager - Imported Wines & Spirits), Christopher Buultjens (General Manager, Sales & Marketing), Eranda Attanayaka (General Manager, Operations), Shalindri Malawana (GM Liquid Island & Group Head of PR and Brand Communications) and Ramesh Kumar (Group Head, Retail)

Speaking at the event, Chairman Derek de Silva Wijeyeratne highlighted the company’s core values of agility, care, exploration, honesty, and the pursuit of perfection, which have been the guiding pillars of Rockland’s enduring success.

“As we move into our next era of growth, we must never forget these values. They have guided us through every challenge and continue to inspire everything we do today. These values are the foundation upon which our success is built, and we must always keep them close,” he emphasized.

Chairman of Rockland Group Derek de Silva Wijeyeratne addressing the audience

The highlight of the evening was the prestigious ‘Chairman’s Award’, presented to the Rockland Events and Communications Team for their exceptional efforts throughout the centenary year. The pinnacle sales award the ‘Carl de Silva Challenge Trophy’ was presented to Nalaka Jayasinghe for his for his innovative sales strategies and outstanding customer relations earning  him the recognition as the most outstanding salesperson.

Shalindri Malawana, GM Liquid Island & Group Head of PR and Brand Communications awarded The Best Performer in Leadership category

‘The Best Performer in Leadership award’ meanwhile, was presented to Shalindri Malawana, General Manager of Liquid Island, for her instrumental role in driving sales growth and leading the non-alcoholic beverage sector. In addition to her leadership, Shalindri spearheaded key cross-functional projects, transforming communications and enhancing internal engagement within the company. ‘The Best Support Function Award’ was clinched by the IT Infrastructure Team for the second consecutive year, in recognition of their continuous efforts to implement cutting-edge technology solutions tailored to meet the company’s evolving needs.

The Carl de Silva Challenge Trophy was awarded to Nalaka Jayasinghe for being the best salesperson

In celebration of the 100-year milestone, the event also saw the introduction of the ‘Gajasingha Awards’, a lifetime achievement honor bestowed upon nine recipients who have been with the company for over seven years. These individuals were celebrated for their exceptional leadership, determination, and courage to be different, embodying the spirit of Rockland.

The Chairman’s Award was presented to the Rockland Events and Communications Team

The Chairman's Awards further recognized outstanding performers across several categories, celebrating excellence at every level and function within the group. This diverse group of winners was honored for their unwavering dedication, commitment, and pursuit of excellence in their respective roles.

Group Managing Director Amal de Silva Wijeyeratne, addressing the audience

To commemorate the centenary year, third and fourth-generation family members of the Rockland Group family—Derek de Silva Wijeyeratne, Amal de Silva Wijeyeratne, and Devinda de Silva Wijeyeratne—were honored with the ‘Centenary Family Reserve’, a special commemorative barrel. This token of appreciation recognized their leadership and dedication in steering Rockland through every challenge and triumph over the past century.

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Image 9 - Award winners and recipients across 21 categories were recognized at the Centennial Chairman's Awards