Rockland Group marks 100 years at Chairman’s Awards

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

In a momentous celebration of its centenary, Rockland Group marked 100 years of grit, resilience and passion at 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.

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 emphasised.

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 innovative sales strategies and outstanding customer relations earning him the recognition as the most outstanding salesperson.

The Best Performer in Leadership Award was presented to Liquid Island General Manager Shalindri Malawana 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.

In celebration of the 100-year milestone, the event also saw the introduction of the Gajasingha Awards, a lifetime achievement honour 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 Awards further recognised the outstanding performers across several categories, celebrating excellence at every level and function within the group. This diverse group of winners was honoured for their unwavering dedication, commitment and pursuit of excellence in their respective roles.

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 honoured with the Centenary Family Reserve, a special commemorative barrel. This token of appreciation recognised their leadership and dedication in steering Rockland through every challenge and triumph over the past century.