Sunshine Healthcare Lanka (SHL), the healthcare arm of the diversified Sri Lankan conglomerate Sunshine Holdings (CSE: SUN), has appointed Mr. Shantha Bandara as the Chief Executive Officer of its pharmaceutical division. The appointment came into effect from July 01, 2020.
Shantha, who was the Chief Operating Officer of Sunshine Pharmaceuticals, counts more than 23 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. He joined Sunshine Healthcare in 2011 and rose through the ranks to become the COO in 2018, where he has been spearheading the pharmaceutical business to reach newer heights and become one of the leading healthcare companies in Sri Lanka since then. He has been instrumental in growing the healthcare business to be the key driver of the Group’s financial performance, helping Sunshine Holdings to sustain its growth over the last two years amidst tough macroeconomic conditions.
Commenting on the new appointment, Sunshine Holdings Group Managing Director Vish Govindasamy said, “I would like to congratulate Mr. Shantha Bandara on being appointed as the CEO of Sunshine Pharmaceuticals. During his career at Sunshine Healthcare, Shantha has demonstrated the right combination of talent and drive to step into this key leadership role at the company. He has truly demonstrated a passion for the brand, commitment to his colleagues, and drive to deliver excellence for our principals. Alongside the outstanding team at Sunshine Pharmaceuticals, I anticipate that the business will experience continued growth under Shantha’s leadership.”
Before joining Sunshine Healthcare, Shantha has held several leadership positions in sales, distribution, supply chain, finance and commercial operations where he has been able to develop strategy, business restructuring, automation and building high-performing teams. He holds an MBA from the Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM) – University of Sri Jayawardenapura and is an Executive Committee Member of Sunshine Holdings.
Sunshine Healthcare has been involved in the healthcare business since 1967 – for over half a century – after commencing operations as a retail pharmacy in Gampola. Today, Sunshine Healthcare markets over 650 pharmaceuticals, wellness brands, medical diagnostic equipment and surgical products to all pharmacies and hospitals island-wide and accounts for a significant share of the country’s private healthcare sector.