Leadership Team

The leadership of Hands International Group reflects a balance of vision, experience, and innovation. Guided by a shared commitment to integrity and progress, the leadership team brings together expertise across business, finance, law, communication, and strategy. Their collective leadership drives the Group’s continued growth, ensuring every sector upholds the values and excellence established by its founder, the late Graetian Gunawardhana.

BSc Business Administration (USA), MBA Finance (UK), FCIM (UK), PhD (USA), AMP

BSc Business Administration (USA)

Bachelor of Business Management & Sociology (Australia), AMP

LLB (Hons) (UK), LLM (Sri Lanka),
Attorney-at-Law (Pending)

Bachelor of Business Management (Culinary) (Australia), AMP, ATCL

Kushal Perera JP

Chairman & Managing Director

BSc Business Administration (USA), MBA Finance (UK), FCIM (UK), PhD (USA), AMP

Kushal Perera is a distinguished Sri Lankan business leader with more than three decades of experience in building and scaling enterprises across multiple sectors. As Chairman and Managing Director of Hands International Group, he provides strategic leadership anchored in disciplined growth, innovation, and stewardship.

His academic credentials include a PhD in Business Administration (USA), an MBA in Finance (UK), and a BSc in Business Administration with a major in Labour Economics (USA). As a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK) and a graduate of the Advanced Management Program (2021), he brings a global perspective to leadership, corporate strategy, and value creation. Presently, he also serves as a Justice of the Peace (JP) for All Island Sri Lanka.

Kushal began his career at Hands International Group, serving for over 20 years as Director of Operations, where he oversaw the manufacturing of industrial seamless gloves and cut-resistant fabrics. Under his direction, the business grew into a multi-million-dollar operation and laid the foundation for the Group’s diversified future that enabled the company to transform into a performance-driven conglomerate with investments spanning apparel, real estate, insurance, wellness, agro industries, hospitality, and emerging technologies.

Beyond his role within the Group, he is the Founder and Chairman of Global Intimates Group, an established exporter in the apparel sector in Sri Lanka and continues to influence industry development locally and internationally. He is also venturing into digital transformation solutions, integrating advanced technologies to create agile, future-ready business models.

Kushal is deeply involved with projects related to community development through his leadership positions as the Vice President of PJFM Charity Foundation and Vice President of TGC. Across all his roles, he is recognised for his ability to inspire teams, shape enterprise vision, and steer organisations toward sustainable, innovation-led growth.

His leadership philosophy balances ambition with responsibility while upholding the founding values of Hands International Group and preparing the next generation of leaders to build on its legacy.

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Dharshika Perera

Deputy Chairman & Director

BSc Business Administration (USA)

Dharshika Perera brings strategic acumen and deep insight to her role as Deputy Chairman and Director. With a degree in Business Administration from the USA, she plays a pivotal role in shaping the Group’s long-term vision while ensuring its founding values and heritage remain central to its identity.

Her leadership is defined by a balance of pragmatism and creativity, fostering operational excellence while nurturing innovation. Dharshika contributes significantly to key decision-making processes, guiding the Group toward sustainable growth while maintaining its people-focused ethos.

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Shenouk Perera

Director – Finance & Investment

BSc Financial Planning (Australia)

With a background in Financial Planning, Shenouk Perera leads the Group’s financial and investment strategies with precision and foresight. His expertise in managing capital flows, optimizing financial performance, and identifying strategic investment opportunities ensures the Group remains both agile and financially resilient.

Shenouk’s strength lies in his ability to combine analytical rigor with forward-thinking financial leadership. Under his guidance, the Group’s investment portfolio continues to expand strategically, reinforcing Hands Group’s position as a stable and progressive organization.

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Shanel Perera

Director – Insight

Bachelor of Business Management & Sociology (Australia), AMP

As Director of Insight, Shanel Perera bridges the worlds of people, data, and strategy. His academic grounding in Business Management and Sociology, complemented by the Advanced Mentorship Program, enables him to combine market intelligence with an understanding of human behavior.

Shanel’s role focuses on delivering evidence-based insights that drive strategic decision-making across the Group. He interprets complex social and market trends into actionable business strategies, ensuring the Hands Group remains attuned to evolving global and consumer dynamics. His contribution strengthens the Group’s narrative by aligning innovation with purpose and embedding human understanding at the core of every strategic decision.

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Sahani Videesha Perera

Director – Legal & Compliance

LLB (Hons) (UK), LLM (Sri Lanka), Attorney-at-Law (Pending)

Sahani Videesha Perera serves as Director of Legal & Compliance, bringing strong academic and professional expertise in law to the Hands Group. She holds an LLB (Hons) from the UK and an LLM from Sri Lanka and is in the final stages of qualifying as an Attorney-at-Law.

In her role, she ensures that the Group’s operations comply with all legal and regulatory requirements. Videesha provides counsel on governance, risk management, and compliance frameworks, safeguarding the Group’s long-term interests. Her attention to detail, legal rigor, and commitment to integrity strengthen the Group’s foundation of trust and accountability.

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Stefan de Alwis

Director – Communication & Strategy

MBA (UK), BA (UK), AMP

Stefan de Alwis is responsible for leading the Group’s communication and strategic initiatives. With an academic background in Entrepreneurship and Finance, supported by the Advanced Management Program, he combines a creative perspective with structured business thinking.

His leadership focuses on strengthening the Group’s brand identity, advancing stakeholder engagement, and driving strategic initiatives that support long-term growth. Stefan’s approach ensures that the Hands Group’s story is communicated with clarity and consistency, while his strategic insight enables the organisation to anticipate challenges and seize emerging opportunities.

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Shenaya Perera de Alwis

Director – Business Development & Innovation

Bachelor of Business Management (Culinary) (Australia), AMP, ATCL

As Director of Business Development and Innovation, Shenaya Perera de Alwis brings entrepreneurial drive, creativity, and strategic vision to the Group’s expansion efforts. With a multidisciplinary background in Business Management, Culinary Arts, and leadership training through the Advanced Management Program, she brings a distinctive perspective to business innovation.

Her work focuses on developing new ventures, building partnerships, and introducing creative business models that extend the Group’s influence across industries. Shenaya’s innovative approach ensures that Hands Group remains a trendsetter that is responsive to market evolution and defined by bold, forward-thinking solutions.

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