Meet Our Leadership

Our Managing Director, Kanakasingam Suganthon, is the visionary leader who has been the driving force behind the success of Venkadeshwara Agro Industry Ltd. His remarkable journey began in 2002 at the age of 22, starting from working in an oil shop, to renting a space, and ultimately building an empire of Premium Cooking Edible oil & now expanded into bakery ingredients. He has since grown our business into a thriving enterprise with 100 dedicated employees. Mr. Suganthon's deep connection to Jaffna, Sri Lanka, and his astute business acumen have been instrumental in establishing Venkadeshwara Agro Industry as a leading provider of high-quality edible oils. He is committed to upholding the highest standards of quality, embracing sustainable practices, and prioritizing the use of local resources in our operations. His visionary approach includes transforming our production process by integrating green energy solutions, which will drive an eco-friendly and sustainable evolution within our industry. In recognition of his incredible talent and contributions to the industry, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the UK Digital University. Mr. Suganthon's entrepreneurial spirit has been celebrated with multiple awards, including Best Leader in Edible Oil Production 2025 and Best Manufacturing Company of the Year 2025 from the Sri Lanka Canada Business Council.

Mr. Rizvi Mowlana is a highly accomplished professional with over four decades of experience in sales, marketing, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), and food packaging. He joined Venkadeshwara Agro Industry Ltd in 2025 and currently serves as the company’s Marketing Director, bringing a wealth of industry expertise and strategic insight to the leadership team. Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Mowlana has held several key leadership positions, including National Sales Manager at Lee Hedges PLC and Chief Operating Officer at Diamond Best Foods. He also serves as Director of Maharaja Foods PLC. Renowned for his strong leadership and results-driven approach, he has successfully spearheaded impactful marketing strategies, enhanced brand growth, and optimized operational processes to improve business efficiency and overall performance.

Mr. Mailvaganam Jananayakam is a veteran engineering professional with extensive international experience and a robust academic foundation. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of Ceylon, Peradeniya, and a Master’s in International Trade and Commerce Law from Macquarie University, Sydney. As a Chartered Engineer and a member of both the Institute of Production Engineers (London) and the Institution of Engineers (Sri Lanka), he has excelled in key roles across diverse sectors. His professional journey includes serving as a Mechanical Engineer at the National Iranian Oil Company in Tehran, a Project Engineer for a major aluminum smelter upgrade in New Zealand, and leadership positions in design, planning, and project management at Lanka Cement Limited, Samuel Sons Limited, and Indo Stainless Fabtech. Beyond his technical expertise, Mr. Jananayakam has been instrumental in Venkadeshwara’s remarkable expansion, leveraging his strategic vision and engineering acumen to spearhead innovation, optimize operations, and enhance efficiency, contributing significantly to the company’s continued growth and leadership.

Mr. M. L. Chouhan is an experienced professional in the oil refinery industry with nearly two decades of hands on experience and a proven track record of operational excellence. He joined Venkadeshwara Agro Industry Pvt Ltd over two years ago, bringing invaluable technical expertise to the production team. Beginning his career in 2003 at Raigarh Solvent Ext. Pvt. Ltd. in Chhattisgarh as a Senior Operator, he quickly became recognized for his technical proficiency and leadership. Over the years, he has advanced through several key roles, including positions at Mandal Adibal Oil Industries (West Bengal), Shri Raja Rajeshwari Industries (Andhra Pradesh), Gaytari Egrow Industries (Odisha), Aadani Willmar Pvt. Ltd. (Madhya Pradesh), and Shri Rama Oil Industries (Hyderabad). Since 2019, he has been associated with Shri Krishna Solvent in Raigarh, Chhattisgarh, before contributing his expertise internationally in Sri Lanka. His deep technical knowledge, adaptability, and dedication continue to drive production excellence and innovation within Venkadeshwara.

Mr. Chandrasekar Manikandan holds a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering with First Class Honours. He began his career in 1996 as a Technician at Bunge India Pvt Ltd in India, where his exceptional dedication and expertise led to successive promotions, first as Plant Engineer and later as Area Champion of the Margarine Plant. With over 29 years of extensive experience in mechanical engineering, particularly in the food processing and margarine manufacturing sectors, Mr. Manikandan brings deep technical insight and a results-driven approach to his role. Currently serving as Chief Engineer at Venkadeshwara Agro Industry Ltd, he oversees engineering operations across the Refinery, Solvent, and Margarine divisions. His commitment to innovation, quality, and continuous improvement plays a pivotal role in maintaining the company’s high production standards and sustainable growth.

Mr. V. Lagukumar is a seasoned factory manager with over a decade of experience at Venkadeshwara Agro Industry Ltd. Specializing in the production of RBD Palm Olein, RBD Rice Bran Oil, and RBD Coconut Oil, he oversees all aspects of refinery operations, from production scheduling and team management to quality assurance and safety compliance. Known for his operational leadership and strategic mindset, he has continuously optimized production efficiency, minimized downtime, and implemented cost-control measures to enhance profitability. His commitment to precision, compliance, and performance excellence has been instrumental in sustaining the company’s high operational standards.

Mr. Nithiyanantham Anushan is a highly experienced procurement professional with over 10 years of expertise in fast-paced and diverse business environments. He is skilled in developing comprehensive procurement plans, managing imports and exports, and ensuring efficient production through timely sourcing. Having completed the Intermediate Level of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka, Mr. Anushan brings strong analytical, budgeting, and cost management skills to his role. His experience spans trading, manufacturing, and service sectors, enabling him to align procurement operations with the company’s strategic goals.

Mr. S. K. Vivekanand serves as our Head of Sales for Bakery Fat Products and is an integral member of the corporate management team. With over 30 years of experience in marketing within the edible oil and fats industry, he brings a wealth of knowledge and strategic insight to his role. A partly qualified professional from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), Mr. Vivekanand has held several key sales and marketing leadership positions throughout his distinguished career, including Sales Manager at Tasty (Pvt) Ltd in 2001, Field Sales Manager at Marina Foods, Assistant Sales Manager for the Kaptura brand at Naracocoland (Pvt) Ltd, and Regional Sales Manager for the North, East, and North Central regions at Suwadeshi (Pvt) Ltd.

Mr. Gnanakulasekaram Thenogh is an experienced marketing professional with over 14 years in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry. He holds a Certificate in Marketing, a National Diploma in Sales Management, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing Management from the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM). With a strong grasp of market dynamics and consumer behavior, he has consistently developed innovative marketing strategies, built strong customer relationships, and driven sustainable business growth. His creative vision and results-oriented approach make him a key contributor to Venkadeshwara’s brand and market presence.

Mr. Naveen Wijesekara is a finance professional with over seven years of diverse experience in financial management, auditing, and data analysis. He has successfully managed core financial operations, tax administration, and system implementations including SAP and QuickBooks. His career includes roles as Senior Audit Associate at a reputed audit firm, followed by positions as Accounts Executive and Accountant in both commercial and industrial sectors. Educated at Mahanama College and currently pursuing the Corporate Level at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka, Mr. Wijesekara combines strong technical expertise with analytical insight and leadership.

Ms. Piravina Kulendrarajah is a dedicated and results-driven finance professional holding a Higher National Diploma in Accountancy and currently pursuing her Master of Business Administration at the University of Jaffna. Serving as Accountant and HR Coordinator at Venkadeshwara Agro Industry Ltd for the past three years, she has built a strong reputation for managing financial records, payroll operations, and comprehensive reporting. Her prior experience at the Ceylon Electricity Board and as an Accounts Executive has honed her skills in accounting transactions, financial management, and human resource coordination. Proficient in Tally ERP and Microsoft Office, Ms. Kulendrarajah combines technical proficiency with strong organizational and leadership abilities to enhance business efficiency.

Mr. Arulanantharasa Nirushan holds a B.Sc. (Hons) in Biotechnology from SLIIT University, specializing in bio-processing, food technology, industrial technology, and quality management. He has extensive experience as a Quality Assurance Chemist and Microbiologist, with expertise in food safety, quality control, and compliance with international standards including BRCs, ISO, GMP, HACCP, and Halal certifications. Highly skilled in microbiological testing and certification processes, he plays a vital role in maintaining product quality and ensuring regulatory compliance. Combining technical expertise with strong leadership and communication skills, Mr. Nirushan drives continuous improvement and innovation within the company’s quality assurance framework.