Ceylon Tobacco Company - Samanmalee Chandrasiri

Ms. Samanmalee Priyanvada Chandrasiri is a globally experienced HR leader with a proven track record of driving impactful business transformations across multiple markets and functional areas.

With an MBA from Edith Cowan University and a BSc in Management from the University of London, Samanmalee brings a strong academic foundation paired with nearly two decades of HR expertise.

Starting her career in 2006 with HR business partnering roles at Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC, Sri Lanka, Samanmalee worked across multiple functions including Marketing, Supply Chain and Corporate. Later, as Area Head of Talent for BAT South Asia, Samanmalee managed talent strategies across Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. This led to her position as Organisation Effectiveness Advisor in BAT Indonesia. She then served as HR Director for Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC and subsequently for Malaysia & Singapore.

Transitioning to global roles based in London, Samanmalee assumed duties as Group Head of Organisation Effectiveness & Talent Management. In her next role, Samanmalee served as Group Head of HR for Global Marketing, Scientific Research & Development. Thereafter, she undertook the role of Group head of talent, organisation effectiveness and inclusion (London), where she led the global Centre of Expertise on Talent, Organisation Effectiveness and D&I.

In October 2024, Samanmalee stepped into her current role as Group Head of HR and Inclusion – Global Operations and R&D, where she leads the talent and culture agenda across Global Operations and R&D function.