“Direction is more important, than speed”

- DR. Sayuru Samarasundera

Though his path was — healthcare, his dream and entrepreneurial ambitions moved him back to Latvia, the Northern European land of blue mountains, where he set up his companies and became a profoundly successful entrepreneur.

Dr. Sayuru Samarasundera is an old pupil of Royal College of Sri Lanka. He pursued his medical career in 1995 and graduated from Medical Academy of Latvia with a degree in MD in 2001. Dr. Sayuru Samarasundera then worked as a House Officer in various Maternity Hospitals until 2004 and completed his post-graduate degree in Gynecology and Obstretics at the University of Latvia. He later obtained his Medical Practitioner license in the United Kingdom and from 2004 to 2007 worked as a Medical Practitioner.

Though his path was Healthcare, his dream and his entrepreneurial ambitions moved him back to Latvia where he set up his own businesses. At the age of 29, he married Ms Karina Vaivove who was a Chartered Accountant from Latvia.

In the summer of 2008, the calling back to his mother land which began a new chapter in his journey and pivoted to a new career within the State Sector. In 2009, he was appointed Director of the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) and also Director of Project Monitoring and Implementation of the Ministry of Fisheries. In 2011, Dr. Samarasundera was promoted to the role of Chairman of NARA, making him the youngest Chairman of a state-owned institute at that time. He also worked as the Director of the National Aquatic Development Agency and the National Fisheries University. In 2013, during his tenure at NARA, he implemented National and International projects which directly enhanced the economy of Sri Lanka.

The first international level Marine Research Vessel “RV Samudrika” was launched by Dr. Samarasundera, which took Sri Lanka’s marine research to the international arena. He was also the Head of the National Hydrographic Office of Sri Lanka, which is the prominent national organization in Hydrographic studies and surveys in creating maritime charts for marine navigation. At that time, Hambantota International Port and the Colombo Harbor Expansion Project including the development of Port City was implemented. During this time, his impact as the Head of the National Hydrographic Office of Sri Lanka was significant. In 2013, he was also instrumental in transforming Sri Lanka Maritime charts into Digital Maritime charts.

Dr. Samarasundera also played a pivotal role in developing marine inland fisheries in Sri Lanka. His international exposure enabled the organization to host international symposiums and conferences in Sri Lanka. He was also an outspoken critic of illegal fisheries practices in Sri Lanka and nearby countries and took steps to create anti-trolling devices and other techniques which helped to minimize negative environmental impacts on fisheries resources. His other major area of both interest and impact was to protect the marine mammals of Sri Lanka and took stringent action as the Chairman of NARA to ensure strict law enforcement in Sri Lanka to ensure the conservation and protection of Sri Lanka’s marine life.

In 2015, Dr. Samarasundera was appointed the Chairman of State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation of Sri Lanka (SPMC). Here, he was at the forefront of developing the Sri Lankan Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Sector into what it is today; contributing to the accessibility and affordability of high-quality medicines in Sri Lanka. Under his tenor, SPMC production grew from 1.2 billion to 4 billion tablets per annum and revenue grew from 1 billion LKR in 2015 to almost five billion LKR in 2019. More than 12 pharmaceutical manufacturing plants were set-up in Sri Lanka in line with his vision to make Sri Lanka self-sufficient in pharmaceutical manufacturing and distribution. During his time as the Chairman, Dr. Samarasundera also developed pharmaceutical brands which obtained strong market share.

In 2018, he expanded his business ventures to F&B and Tourism, with the launch of his first boutique hotel in Sri Lanka. In parallel, he also established a number of high-end restaurants in Colombo.

With the COVID crisis starting in 2020, Dr. Samarasundera pivoted his entrepreneurial ideas into CSR projects. He set up a state-of-the-art COVID Ward at Kataragama Hospital and donated largely to COVID wards. With the onset of Sri Lanka’s Economic crisis and the foreign currency deficit, Dr. Samarasundera set up the Indian Ocean Import-Export Corporation to facilitate the export of Sri Lankan pharmaceuticals. He is the first Sri Lankan entrepreneur to export high-end pharmaceuticals from Sri Lanka to the African Nations. Also, during the past decade he initiated TV Channels, Newspapers and Magazines which brought light to the worlds of Politics, Business, Youth and Health in Sri Lanka. Dr. Samarasundera’s vision is to continue to contribute to and help drive Sri Lanka’s economic growth and development.

History of our family

Grand Father (Father’s Father) Born in 1902
Dr. Karolis Samarasundera known as a Ayurvedic Medical Professioner.
Who was specialized in treating Rabis.

Mother’s Father
Mr. Dharmadasa Wijemanne
One of Sri Lankas pioneer Businessman who transformed real estate business in the country. Well known as HPT House and Property Sales.
The Third most influencing and successful businessman in the 1980’s

Grand Mother (Father’s Mother) Dr (Mrs.) Lisy Samarasundera
Continued her husband’s role in treating Rabis.

Father (Born in 1941) Dr. Nimal samarasundera Phd
A senior Civil Servant worked as the Government Agent in various districts in Sri Lanka.
Former, Senior Assistant Secretary of Ministry of Higher Education
Former Commissioner of Motor Traffic
Former Commissioner of Official Languages
Former Secretary to the Ministry of Buddha Sasana
Former Chairman of the Ayurvedic Corporation
Retired as the Secreta to the Hon. Speaker of Sri Lanka.

Brother in Law Air Chief Marshal Sumangala Dias
Former Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force
Currently the High Commissioner of Malaysia

Father-In-law - Mr.Bonifacia Vaivoda
Retired Commissioner of Prelu District of Latvia

Mother-in-Law Dr. (Mrs) Valantine Vaivoda

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