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Indika is a results-driven and dynamic marketing professional with an impressive 26-year career, marked by success and expertise in both purchasing and strategic marketing management. Currently serving as the General Manager of Marketing at Ceylon Chocolates Limited in Sri Lanka, Indika has made significant contributions to the growth and brand visibility of one of the country's leading chocolate companies, a legacy enterprise founded by the late business magnate Upali Wijewardena. Over his career, Indika has demonstrated an exceptional ability to align marketing strategies with business goals, driving substantial brand growth, revenue, and market share.
Starting his journey in 1997 as a Trainee Purchasing Clerk, Indika developed a solid foundation in procurement, vendor communication, and market research. These early roles were instrumental in shaping his understanding of supply chains, cost management, and vendor relationships, which he later applied in higher-level roles. As he progressed, his responsibilities expanded, and he became a Purchase Assistant in 2000, handling purchase order processing, inventory control, cost analysis, and coordination with other departments to ensure smooth operations. By 2002, Indika advanced to the role of Purchase Executive, where he further honed his skills in procurement and established a reputation for his expertise in cost-saving initiatives and supplier management.
In 2011, Indika transitioned into the marketing domain, where his career truly flourished. Taking on the role of Brand Manager, he led brand strategy development and product launches for the Kandos and Delta sub-brands. Indika was instrumental in creating a cold beverage brand called "Kanvita," further diversifying the company's product portfolio. His efforts in brand positioning, consumer insights, and market research provided Ceylon Chocolates Limited with a competitive edge in the confectionery market. He also played a key role in brand identity and communication, ensuring that all brand messaging, visual elements, and tone of voice resonated consistently across marketing channels.
Promoted to Assistant Marketing Manager in 2013, Indika introduced digital marketing strategies that leveraged social media, search engine optimization (SEO), and content marketing to expand the brand's online presence and engagement. He also provided mentorship and guidance to new marketing executives, establishing himself as a collaborative team leader. By fostering a culture of teamwork and innovation, Indika inspired his team to achieve impactful campaign results and contribute meaningfully to Ceylon Chocolates' objectives.
Since 2015, Indika has held the position of General Manager of Marketing, leading two key marketing divisions for Ceylon Chocolates Limited and Upali Consumer Products. He oversees the marketing operations for soap products under the Upali Group of Companies, ensuring that marketing initiatives align with each product category’s distinct brand positioning. Indika's leadership has enabled the development and execution of marketing strategies for brands like Kandos, Delta, K Super, and Kandos Shops, each with unique strategies to enhance market differentiation and drive brand growth.
Indika's role as General Manager requires a high level of cross-departmental coordination. He collaborates closely with the sales and finance teams to execute seamless marketing campaigns and initiatives that support the company's overall objectives. He is also responsible for managing budgets, ensuring resources are allocated effectively, and optimizing marketing activities to maximize returns on investment. His strategic acumen and attention to detail have enabled him to launch over 50 products successfully, capturing consumer attention through innovative marketing strategies that span traditional and digital channels.
Throughout his career, Indika has demonstrated a deep understanding of consumer behaviour, market trends, and competitor analysis. His keen insights allow him to identify new market opportunities and design targeted campaigns that enhance customer engagement. Indika’s experience spans both traditional advertising—such as print media, television, and radio—and modern digital platforms, including social media and influencer partnerships. His integrated approach to marketing has consistently increased brand visibility and market penetration.
Indika's academic background has also contributed to his professional success. He holds an MSc in Strategic Marketing from Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK, where he acquired skills in marketing strategy, consumer behaviour, brand management, and digital marketing analytics. Additionally, he has completed courses in purchasing principles, business communication, and supply chain management, which further solidified his expertise in procurement and strategic sourcing. His educational qualifications are complemented by his memberships in professional bodies, such as the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing and the Institute of Supplies & Materials Management in Sri Lanka.
Beyond his professional life, Indika is a passionate voice artist and narrator, with over 1,500 voiceovers for social media under his belt. He is an active member of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation's dubbing unit, contributing his vocal talents to various projects. His hobbies include photography, video editing, and traveling, which add creative dimensions to his personality. Early in his career, Indika briefly worked as a teacher at Holy Cross College, where he imparted knowledge and contributed to the community. These diverse interests reflect Indika's multifaceted personality and his ability to balance creativity with strategic thinking.
Indika’s contributions to product development and innovation at Ceylon Chocolates Limited further highlight his commitment to the company’s growth. He actively collaborates with the factory R&D team, sales department, and marketing team to refine packaging, product quality, and taste. Under his leadership, the company has introduced new product lines, such as a three-color chocolate series, a premium milk chocolate collection called the "21 Collection Star," and a luxury two-layer chocolate assortment known as "Top Five." These launches have expanded Ceylon Chocolates’ product portfolio and solidified its reputation as an industry leader.
A dedicated family man, Indika is married and resides in Sri Lanka, where he embraces his Buddhist values. With professional proficiency in English and native proficiency in Sinhalese, he bridges cultural and linguistic gaps effectively. His disciplined and organized approach to life is evident in both his personal and professional endeavours, reflecting his commitment to continuous improvement and excellence.
In summary, Indika’s extensive experience, strategic insight, and leadership skills have established him as a formidable figure in the Sri Lankan marketing landscape. His journey from a purchasing clerk to the General Manager of Marketing is a testament to his resilience, adaptability, and unwavering dedication to his craft. Indika’s expertise in consumer insights, product development, and integrated marketing makes him a valuable asset to any organization, while his passion for creativity and commitment to family and community paint a picture of a well-rounded and accomplished individual.
As a Business Development Manager, I am committed to setting personal learning goals to enhance my skills and drive meaningful growth within my role. My primary goal is to strengthen my sales and negotiation abilities to effectively close deals and build lasting client relationships. I also aim to deepen my knowledge of market trends and competitor strategies to identify new opportunities and stay ahead in the industry. Developing a strong understanding of digital marketing and data analytics is another focus, as these skills will allow me to better analyze customer insights and drive strategic, data-informed decisions. Additionally, I seek to improve my communication and presentation skills to engage stakeholders effectively and present compelling business proposals. Finally, I am dedicated to enhancing my financial literacy to make sound, ROI-focused business decisions, and honing my adaptability to respond confidently to industry changes. Through these goals, I aspire to continuously grow in my role and contribute to the organization’s success.
We all want to make the best use of the resources we have. IT service management (ITSM) helps organizations do just that. One important part of ITSM is IT asset management, which helps manage the full life cycle of IT assets and find cost-effective ways to buy and dispose of them.
Poorly planned, tested, or communicated changes can disrupt business operations. ITSM’s change management process ensures changes are introduced in a way that minimizes risk. For example, low-risk, minor changes can be quickly approved, while larger or urgent changes might need review from a Change Advisory Board (CAB).
ITSM helps organizations manage changes smoothly through standardized, repeatable processes. This allows IT teams to quickly identify and address issues, minimizing downtime and boosting productivity. ITSM also focuses on standardizing services and improving efficiency, helping organizations save money and expand easily. Automated features reduce the time and effort teams spend fixing issues.
ITSM improves collaboration among departments by providing better communication and information sharing. It helps create accountability by setting up clear processes for each IT service, like the IT service desk, and monitoring networks to detect policy breaches. ITSM also gives managers and staff a clear view of IT activities across the business, so urgent tasks are prioritized.
A lack of visibility into IT operations can harm the business. With ITSM, organizations can see all important data in one place, making it easier to manage and deliver services to clients efficiently.
Starting digital transformation in an organization involves more than just picking new technology, it requires a well-planned strategy. Here’s a simple guide to help make digital transformation effective:
By following these steps, you can create a digital transformation strategy that aligns with your goals, supports employees through the process, and ensures lasting success for your organization.
Many organizations struggle to turn their innovative ideas into real products or services. In fact, only 21% of companies actually reach their innovation goals. This high failure rate is usually due to factors that slow down creativity, complicate processes, and reduce the impact of innovation.
Big companies have the resources to make big changes, but they also face challenges that make innovation difficult. Slow decision-making, managing a large number of ideas, and other obstacles can prevent a company from staying competitive. However, with the right tools and strategies, companies can overcome these challenges.
This article will discuss five major challenges that large companies face with innovation and explain how using innovation management software can help solve them.
In conclusion, large organizations face several challenges that make innovation difficult, but innovation management software can help address these obstacles. By streamlining decision-making, fostering collaboration, speeding up go-to-market processes, and managing ideas, this software can increase the chances of turning innovative ideas into successful outcomes.
