Manoj Pathiraja

An experienced professional currently working till 06/30/24 in the capacity of Group Strategic Advisor at The Rwanda Mountain Tea Group – a large diversified conglomerate based in Kigali, Rwanda recording an annual income of USD 700-800 million, with interests in Finance, Insurance, Logistics, Tea, Mining, Exports and Hydro Power. My role involves mainly driving the Tea sector at Rwanda Mountain Tea Limited overseeing a direct and indirect workforce of over 45,000 people and a production capacity of over 20 million kg of Tea per annum.

My expertise spans over 35 years across multiple disciplines primarily in Tea, Palm oil and Moringa manufacturing, Water-bottling, management of Distilleries, Commercialization of RTD beverages and Renewable Energy Projects. I have worked in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia and the USA prior to my relocation to Rwanda, where I now provide my expert advice to the East African Tea Sector.

My vision is to bring higher levels of productivity & profitability while maintaining GAP, GMP & GHMP in the agriculture sector. My leadership has enhanced profitability, asset value and helped create world-class business units globally with special emphasis on the most valuable asset, which is the human asset. I have the knowledge and ability in developing standard operating procedures, laying policies for agriculture, crop protection and processing, bottling and distribution of water and liquor, management of distilleries, executive HR management, strategic and tactical planning, business process re-engineering, overall tea plantation management, business development, budget management/setting up challenging targets and reviewing, start-up ventures, spin over projects, restructuring and reengineering organizations and international business management.

I must also mention that I have a special ability in turning around loss-making entities with large workforces within a short period of time. Results-driven CEO with forward-thinking approach centered on company success and competitive growth. Demonstrated record of success in building successful teams and managing profitable operations.

• I managed a group of 8 Estates in the Uva Province from 2008 for a period of 48 months when the owners abandoned their ownership and a workforce of more than 4000 and a land base of more than 4000 Ha. I was managing the cash flows and working capital funds well within the group without fresh investments. The Company showed steady progress during that period and I was recognized for my outstanding achievements with a Special Recognition Award by the Arpico Group Plantation sector in 2010 October.
• In May 2016, I took up the position of Director Operations and later in November, that year I was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Maskeliya Plantations PLC. Maskeliya Plantations is the largest tea plantation and workforce in Sri Lanka with 11MN kg of tea produced annually and a turnover of LKR 5 BN ($28 MN) net turn over per annum. All its Estates were making losses for a considerable period at the time, however with my dedication and implementation of strategic & tactical planning as well as my budget management skills, I was able to bring Maskeliya Plantations to its Rainbow year 2018 recording the highest ever profit made in the history of Maskeliya PLC. We won the National Quality Award for the large manufacturing sector in 2018 and we won the National Productivity Merit Award for the large manufacturing sector in 2018 as well.
• Eastern Brokers Pvt. Ltd was making losses up to 2018, however with my take-over it is now a profit making entity. Maskeliya Tea Gardens was also turned around to make profits in 2018 and 2019.
• In October 2019, I also launched the “Ready to Drink Tea” project in Miami, Florida, USA by leading a team of US professionals working for me.
• At Rwanda Mountain Tea during the period of 2022-2024, I have been able to provide strategic guidance to develop plantations and tea exports and it led to Increase the crop by 15% in first 2 years and tea value addition was expanded for new markets and shown a growth of 65% in 2 years. In addition to that agriculture modernization was introduced, reduced the cost of procurement in major items such as fertilizers, machinery and packaging material 40-50%.

• Member of the Institute of Management of Sri Lanka( MIM)
• Member of Australian Institute of Management (AIM)
• Member of Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI)
• Member of AOTS Japan
• Member of JASTICA (Life)
• Member of the Sri Lanka Association of Quality (SLAQ)
• Fellowship Member of the National Institute of Plantation Management – Gazzeted Officer Number 223 (FIPM).

• Elected Committee Member of Ceylon Tea Traders Association - 2018 to date
• District Chairman, Planters Association of the Dickoya District - 2002/2003 & 2003/2004
• Regional Chairman of the Ceylon Planters Society - 2000/2001/2002/2003/2004
• Chairman, Regional Scientific Committee Hatton/Dickoya - 2000/2001
• Ceylon Planters Society Executive Committee Member - 2000/2001/2002/2003/2004
• TQM Coordinator, Maskeliya Plantations - 1997/98
• Branch Chairman PA / CPS - 1997/ 1998 / 1999
• President of Ex-Planters Association “The Mascots” - Since 2013
• Currently serving in committees in the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and the execution of the Road Map for the Tea Industry by 2030.
• Member of the International Chamber of Commerce

Date of Birth: 10/20/68

• Played and captained Royal College Cricket Teams - Under 11, 13, 15, 17, 1st eleven and 2nd eleven teams.
• Played and captained Cricket Teams of Sri Lanka State Plantations, Maskeliya Plantations and Forbes & Walker (Plantations) Ltd.

Royal College, Colombo 1975-1987

Manoj Pathiraja

15.06.2024