A Legacy Continued Thilini Jayasuriya and the Rise of Foreconns Canneries

Meet Thilini Jayasuriya, a trailblazing entrepreneur at the helm of one of Sri Lanka’s most respected food manufacturing companies—Foreconns Canneries. Inspired by her father’s legacy and fuelled by a passion for authentic Sri Lankan cuisine, she has combined tradition with innovation to take local flavours to global markets. With an MBA in Management and a vision for sustainable growth, she has earned numerous accolades for her leadership and export excellence. In this exclusive interview, Thilini Jayasuriya shares her inspiring journey, key achievements, and empowering advice for young women aspiring to make their mark in the food manufacturing industry.

Words - Sachini Perera

Let’s begin with you-can you tell us a bit about your background, your journey into business administration, and what inspired you to pursue an MBA in Management?

I never initially dreamt of becoming a businesswoman, but growing up in a business-oriented environment deeply influenced me. My father, Nimal Jayasuriya, founded Foreconns Canneries in 1989, and I joined the family business in 2011, in my early twenties. I hold a double major in Business Management and Marketing from Edith Cowan University in Australia, and later pursued an MBA from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. Though I once aspired to be a teacher, the dedication I saw in my father inspired me to take part in his vision. I started as an Executive and gained hands-on experience across various areas of the company. Today, I manage around 90% of daily operations as the Director of Administration.

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