Born on 24th January 1941 in the rural village of Kondawava, Anuradhapura, at the heart of the historic Rajarata region, Professor Madduma Bandara began his education at the village school before entering Central College, Anuradhapura. He pursued higher studies at the University of Peradeniya and earned his PhD from the University of Cambridge in 1971, specialising in land-water interaction. His journey from a village school to Cambridge stands as an inspiring testament to the transformative power of education, perseverance, and intellectual curiosity.

Spanning more than five decades in academic leadership, Professor Madduma Bandara served the University of Peradeniya for over 40 years as Professor on Merit, Head of the Department of Geography, and as Vice-Chancellor from 1994 to 1997, later receiving the title of Emeritus Professor. With over 100 publications, his seminal research on Sri Lanka's traditional tank cascade systems provided the intellectual foundation for the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations to designate these landscapes as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS).

His extraordinary legacy has been recognised through numerous distinctions, including being named a Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences of Sri Lanka and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society of London. He has previously been awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science by Sabaragamuwa University (2010), a Doctor of Letters by the University of Peradeniya (2023), the Rajarata Abhimana title, and the Hela Abhimana Award.

We take immense pride in our Chairman's monumental achievements. His wisdom, dedication, and lifelong commitment to integrity continue to guide our company’s culture and pursuit of excellence.