In a move towards revamping state owned telecom provider, renowned tea exporter Rohan Fernando has been appointed as the new chairman of Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT),
Prrevious nominee, 75 year old Former UDA chairman Nimal Perea’s name has been withdrawn due to his age barrier.
Other state appointed members of the SLT Board OF Directors are Ananda Kithsiri Seneviratne Deputy Secretary to theTreasury, Mohan Weerasekera PC, Mohan Lalith Seneviratne (MSC), Electronic engineer and Ranjith Rubasinghe Former CEO Mobitel.
SLFP and SLPP trade unions of SLT have wehimently protested against the appointment of Ranjith Rubasinghe who has been allegedly involved in couurupt practices, union leaders said.
Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) to confirm the appointment previous nominee old Nimal Perera as the new chairman with the share holder apporoaval scheduled for for 30 January has been cancelled.
The new board of Directors has been reconstituted on the recoomendation of. Secretary to the Treasury, which owns 49.5% stake in SLT.
In terms of Section 211 of the Companies Act No. 7 of 2007, Mr. Perera’s appointment is required to be made by the shareholders declaring that the age limit of 70 years referred to in Section 210 of the said Act, shall not apply to him.
But this matter will not arise following the appointment of Rohan Fernando as the new chairaman.
Rohan Fernando has over 40 years of experience in the tea industry and has been involved in developing, promoting and marketing the traditional beverage of tea in many innovative variants over the last several years.
Prior to founding his own Company, Heladiv, he has served on the Colombo Tea Traders Association as a member.
He functioned as the President of the National Chamber of Exporters in 2008 and 2009. He is the former Chairman of the Tea Exporters Association of Sri Lanka, and one of the directors at Sri Lanka Tea Board.
(LI)