Suranjith De Fonseka named Deputy CEO; Saminda Weerasinghe appointed Chief Operating Officer
Acorn Group recently announced the appointment of Suranjith De Fonseka as Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Saminda Weerasinghe as Chief Operating Officer, strengthening its senior leadership team as the organization continues to drive growth and transformation across its business portfolio. Both appointments came into effect from 1 April 2026.
Suranjith was a founder Partner of The Acorn Group in 2020 and has held many senior positions within the Group and was the Chief Operating Officer until recently. In his new role as Deputy CEO, Suranjith De Fonseka will carry overall responsibility for performance, with a focus on driving revenue and profit growth across the organization’s diverse business units while ensuring the successful delivery of key strategic initiatives. The appointment marks an important step in the organization’s leadership transition, reflecting its continued focus on strengthening governance, performance, and strategic direction.
Meanwhile, Saminda Weerasinghe has been appointed Chief Operating Officer, joining the Executive Committee and serving as a member of the Acorn Leadership Team. As COO, Saminda will lead the Transformation Program, translating the organization’s strategic vision into operational execution and driving performance. His role will be pivotal in ensuring the transformation agenda is implemented with clarity, discipline, and pace.
Saminda Weerasinghe, CFA, brings over 20 years of experience in corporate finance and private equity. A CFA Charter holder and Fellow Member of CIMA (UK), he is recognized for his strong analytical expertise and ability to unlock value across sectors including manufacturing, renewable energy, and technology. He has led large-scale mergers, acquisitions, and complex restructuring initiatives as a senior investment banking executive, and has held multiple C-level and Director roles across manufacturing, export, real estate, and technology sectors within leading Sri Lankan organizations and startups.
Commenting on the appointments, CEO Malinga Arsakularatne said: “These appointments represent an important step in strengthening our leadership team as we continue to grow and evolve. Suranjith brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of our business, and I have every confidence in his ability to drive performance and lead from the front as Deputy CEO. Saminda’s appointment as Chief Operating Officer cements the importance we place on our transformation journey, and his leadership will be instrumental in translating our strategic vision into operational excellence.”
These strategic leadership changes also highlight the organization’s commitment to building a strong and agile management structure capable of delivering sustained growth and operational excellence
