FINANCIAL CHRONICLE – Maharaja Foods of Sri Lanka has announced the appointment of Imran Furkan as its new chairman, alongside Gimhan Sawinda Rajapaksha Dissanayake, who has been named an independent non-executive director. This strategic move is intended to enhance corporate governance and propel the organization into its next growth phase.
Guganathan Vijayananth, who previously held the chairman position, will transition to the role of executive non-independent director. In his new capacity, he will concentrate on expanding retail operations and spearheading new ventures for the group.
Meanwhile, Vithyanath Guganathan will maintain his position as managing director, ensuring consistent leadership and management of the company’s daily activities.
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The organization emphasized that this new leadership structure demonstrates its dedication to strong corporate governance and sustainable value creation. It aims to leverage Furkan’s extensive board experience across various sectors while harnessing the entrepreneurial spirit of the founding leadership.
Maharaja Foods PLC is engaged in food manufacturing and distribution, with a diverse portfolio that includes food production, export, local FMCG distribution, and a supermarket chain.
Here are the profiles of the newly appointed board members:
Imran Furkan — Chairman, Maharaja Foods PLC
Furkan provides strategic guidance to boards and CEOs on market growth, risk management, and geopolitical issues. He is currently the CEO of Tresync in Australia and holds multiple board positions throughout the Asia-Pacific region, including Senior Independent Director of Asiri Health and Asiri Surgical Hospital PLC, as well as Independent Non-Executive Director roles at Odel PLC, Softlogic Capital PLC, Softlogic Holdings PLC, and Diamond Life Insurance Company in Bangladesh. His past experience includes serving as CEO of SLASSCOM and the Sri Lanka Press Institute. He is a Fellow of both CPA Australia and CIMA UK, with an MBA from Australia and a BA (Hons) from the UK.
Gimhan Sawinda Rajapaksha Dissanayake — Non-Executive, Independent Director
Dissanayake is a seasoned entrepreneur with expertise in tea production, hospitality, wellness, and lifestyle businesses. He currently holds a director position at Adams View Tea Factory (Pvt) Ltd, a family-run tea manufacturer in Sri Lanka’s Sabaragamuwa region, and at ROBA Investments (Pvt) Ltd, which focuses on hospitality and wellness. He earned a BA in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics from Durham University, UK, and is a former national water polo player for Sri Lanka. His professional journey includes business strategy, brand enhancement, and product innovation, with a strong emphasis on elevating Sri Lankan products on the global stage.
Guganathan Vijayananth — Executive, Non-Independent Director
Vijayananth is a dynamic entrepreneur with extensive experience in logistics and the food and beverage sectors. He has played a key role in establishing a robust client base for Maharaja Foods and its associated companies. He has overseen the transformation of the Company from a family-run business into a structured Group with specialized units in retail, logistics, and food production. In his new role, he will focus on expanding retail initiatives and developing new business opportunities. He holds a Degree in Business Management with a specialization in Economics and Consulting from Aston University.
Vithyanath Guganathan — Managing Director
Guganathan continues to serve as Managing Director of Maharaja Foods PLC, ensuring a smooth transition and stable leadership in the day-to-day operations of the company as it adapts to the new board structure.
(Colombo/Jul4/2026)
