Colombo Dockyard veteran Mangala Yapa retires
View(s):Mangala P.B. Yapa, Managing Director/CEO and a 30-year veteran at Colombo Dockyard PLC’s (CDL), is retiring in April, the company announced this week. He will be replaced as MD by Ranil Wijegunawardena, the current General Manager (Finance).
CDL Chairman Akihiko Nakanchi said in the statement that Mr. Yapa’s dedicated leadership and tireless enthusiasm has been an integral part of making CDL the brand it is today. Since he took on the role of CEO/MD a decade ago, CDL has become one of South Asia’s most recognized ship repair and building entities, competing with global companies and has been recognized as Sri Lanka’s leading
Ranil Wijegunawardena
engineering entity, contributing well over 1.2 per cent of country’s export turnover, winning many awards and accolades for a number of years.
“He leaves behind a legacy of professionalism and commitment and his absence will be felt by all of us at Dockyard,” he said.
Mr. Yapa joined the company in 1984 as a trainee engineer upon his graduation with a Masters degree in naval architecture (ship building) from Astrakhan Technical University, Russia. Later he completed his
Mangala P.B. Yapa
Masters degree in Business Management form the Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM). He held several senior Managerial positions within CDL and was appointed to the Board of Directors as the Managing Director/CEO in April 2004.
“There is never a right time for such transitions, but now is the time. It comes at an important point in the Dockyard journey, in line with the company’s management philosophy and long term succession plan. I feel privileged and thankful to have been a part of, and lead such a remarkable company,” said Mr. Yapa.
His successor, Mr. Wijegunawardane is a Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA), Fellow Member of Certified Management Accountant (FCMA), and holds Postgraduate Diploma in Management, Sri Jayewardenepura (PDM, Sri J.).