Fresh Look

May 25, 2006 (LBO) – The Hayleys Group said Thursday that Nirmala Gihan Wickremeratne, Deputy Chairman, will succeed Rajan Yatawara as Chairman of the blue chip conglomerate effective 10th January 2007, on the retirement of the latter after over 40 years of service. Wickremeratne, who joined Hayleys in 1971 and was appointed to the Board in 1986, has been Chief Executive of Dipped Products Limited (DPL) and held overall responsibility for the Hayleys Group's Hand Protection sector since its inception.

Widely known among friends and associates as 'Tanky', Wickremeratne holds a B.Sc. degree from the University of Ceylon, Peradeniya.

Hayleys said Abeyakumar Mohan Pandithage will in turn succeed Wickremeratne as Deputy Chairman.

Pandithage joined Hayleys in 1969 and was appointed to the Board in 1998.

He has headed the Maritime Holdings Group (now Hayleys Advantis) since its inception and held overall responsibility for the Transportation sector at Hayleys.

The Hayleys Group comprises local and international businesses in Fibre, Hand Protection, Purification Products, Agri Products, Plantations, Transportation, Agri Inputs, Resorts, Consumer Products, Industry Inputs, Textiles, Power & Energy and Investments & Services. The Board of Directors of H