Channa Palansuriya

Channa Palansuriya is Chairman and Managing Director of Orit Group, where he heads a leading garment manufacturing and exporting company as well as GC Lanka Clothing, both based in Sri Lanka. As a denim specialist, the company has grown over the years and is Sri Lanka’s number-one denim producer today.

Mr. Palansuriya also is the present Deputy Chairman of the Joint Apparel Association Forum, the umbrella organization of all the stakeholders, including exporters, buyers, fabric and trims suppliers, of the $4 billion apparel industry in Sri Lanka. Over the years he has contributed immensely to the development of the industry through his involvement in Sri Lanka Apparel’s constituent trade associations, serving as an executive committee member of Sri Lanka Apparel Sourcing Association (SLASA). In addition, he was Chairman of the Apparel Exporters Association 200 GFP (NAE-GFP) from 2006-2008.

In addition, Mr. Palansuriya served as a Board Member of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) from 2005–2010, Board Member of Sri Lanka Institute of Textile & Apparel (SLITA). Currently he serves as the Deputy Chairman of Sampath Bank PLC.

Having commenced his career as an entrepreneur, Mr. Palansuriya has been recognized nationally for his efforts, and he has received several awards, including the Sri Lankan Entrepreneur for the Year in 2002 and the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka recognition for export performance.