Malin Goonetileke conferred with Lifetime Achievement at National Tea Awards

In commemoration of 150 years of excellence of Ceylon Tea, the Plantation Industries Ministry and Sri Lanka Tea Board hosted the National Tea Awards, at which Planters’ Association Secretary General Malin Goonetileke was honoured with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. 

Held recently at the Nelum Pokuna theatre, Goonetileke was one of seven recipients, recognized for his outstanding contribution, for driving change and influence to leave a lasting legacy on the industry. President Maithripala Sirisena presented the awards as the chief guest. 

Conferred on the basis of exceptional and major contributions to the industry, the honourees, exemplifying the award were selected on their knowledge, skill and experience along with values of integrity, excellence and long-term innovative achievement. 

Goonetileke counts 52 years of unbroken, dedicated service across the plantation sector, having joined the industry at the age of 18 when he was handpicked by a sterling company – the Central Province Ceylon Tea Company – managed by Mackwoods Estates and Agencies Limited. He was appointed Superintendent at a relatively young age of 25 years and consequent to nationalization of estates, elevated to the role of Visiting Agent (VA) before he was 30.

During his planting career, he served on five estates, which achieved the highest yield in the respective districts due to his commitment to replanting and maximising crop and in recognition of his achievements was invited by the Commonwealth Development Corporation of the UK to undertake a pioneering tea project in East Malaysia, where he worked as General Manager for nine years until its fruition.

Later, as Managing Director of a Board of Investment company manufacturing multiwall paper sacks for bulk packaging of Tea, he was responsible for establishing the UK standard for Kraft paper sacks. During late 90s, he was appointed Director/Agriculture Monitoring Specialist to restructure the Plantation Management Monitoring Division of the Plantation Industries Ministry acting for and on behalf of the Golden Shareholder.

He is a Fellow of the National Institute of Plantation Management and currently Secretary General of the Planters’ Association of Ceylon, which position he has held since 2002 and in which capacity he has served on several national and industry-related boards and committees, representing the association and its membership. 

As Secretary General of the association, Goonetileke has played a key role in liaising with government officials and other stakeholders in re-establishing the PA as the apex body of the producer segment of the industry representing corporate entities.

He also has played a crucial part in terms of generating an improved understanding of the present spectrum of challenges and opportunities faced by the Sri Lankan plantation industry, including issues related to wages, productivity and pertinent agricultural practices and policies and their impact on the industry and its large group of stakeholders.