Ventures and transactions
Six ventures over three decades, and the cross-border deals, development finance and PPP work TWC has taken on since 2021.
The ventures he founded or co-founded, and what became of them.
2012 - present
Founder & Executive Chairman
TWC brings together investment bankers, PPP practitioners, lawyers and real estate professionals. It works through TWC Capital (M&A and corporate finance), TWC Development Management, TWC Insights (policy research) and TWCorp in Singapore.
1999 - present
Co-founder, board member
While at the BOI he saw that Sri Lanka was short of software programmers and worked with Prof. Lalith Gamage to start a dedicated institution. SLIIT opened in 1999 with 400 students, backed by a BOI grant.
2004 - present
Co-founder, director
Created with the MJF Group (Dilmah) and partners: tea planters' bungalows in the hill country, restored and linked by walking trails. It opened in 2005. He also co-founded Resplendent Ceylon, the leisure company behind it.
1992 - 1995
Co-founder
An investment bank and stockbroker that listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange in 1994. Its deals included the privatisation of the Trans Asia Hotel. He sold his stake after his appointment to the BOI.
2008 - present
Co-founder, Chairman
A sapphire-cutting company in Ratnapura that combines diamond-industry technology with traditional equipment, producing round brilliant and Asscher cuts for international jewellery brands.
2012 - 2015
Chairman, Digital Commerce Lanka
A Sri Lankan e-commerce business, formed in 2012 by merging Anything.lk, iBuy.lk and Tradenet.lk in a joint venture with Dialog Axiata. Dialog acquired the business in full in 2015.
TWC's work, as listed on the firm's own transactions page and in its press releases. TWC does not name some clients.
Showing 27 transactions
Development finance
Exclusive financial adviser on IFC investments: up to US$18m for Sri Lanka's first utility-scale 100 MW solar project, and US$10m for an agribusiness group.
Cross-border acquisition
Exclusive buy-side adviser on the acquisition of PT Tri Jaya Tangguh, a coconut processor in Indonesia. CBL's entry into the world's largest coconut exporter.
Divestiture
Exclusive sell-side adviser on the sale of two garment factories to Q Collection of Singapore, including BOI approvals.
Equity raise
Sole financial adviser on an equity raise from Aberdeen Holdings.
Leasing strategy
Structured four- to six-year leases for 30,000 sq ft of retail space at Altair, Colombo.
Buy-side advisory
Feasibility and due diligence leading to the structured acquisition of a hotel company in Sri Lanka.
Acquisition due diligence
Technical and market assessment, and oversight of financial and legal due diligence, for its acquisition of Indocean Developers, owner of Altair, Colombo.
Debt restructuring
Subcontractor on the balance sheet and debt restructuring of the Ceylon Electricity Board.
Leasehold acquisition
Acquisition of leasehold rights to a beachfront property through a BOI-approved company.
Development management
Pre-construction management of an internationally branded villa resort: EIA, planning approvals and design coordination.
Market entry
Entry into Sri Lanka's mining and minerals sector, including policy and regulatory risk.
Health PPP
Options for the financial and operational sustainability of the 1990 Suwa Seriya ambulance service.
Transport study
Decarbonising the bus sector, and ways to bring in private capital.
Market entry
Entry strategy for financial services: incentives, bankability, policy and legal issues.
Growth strategy
Short- and long-term growth strategy, scaling and strategic divestments.
Marina development
Financial modelling, concept development and architect selection for a marina at Colombo Port City.
Fund design
Strategy and structure for an offshore fund for economically disadvantaged districts.
Resort master plan
Strategy and design standards for the Maldives' first climate-adaptive luxury resort, on Gaafaru island. Foster + Partners were selected for the master plan.
Land acquisition
Land for a university and technology park in the Northern Province.
FDI advisory
Foreign direct investment into a housing and township project.
Ports PPP
South Asia port-sector PPP and competitiveness study, and advice to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.
Climate adaptation
Sri Lankan subcontractor on the USAID Climate Adaptation Project in Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
PPP law
Policy and legal guidance to Bangladesh's PPP Authority on procurement, law and guidelines.
Ports & logistics
Gap analysis of the ports and logistics sector.
Land sale
Sole adviser on the sale of 10.3 acres of marina and hotel plots at Colombo Port City.
Project status
Advice on securing Strategic Development Project status for a phased mixed-use development.
PPP framework
Policy, regulatory and benchmarking study on PPPs, with the US Commercial Law Development Program.