Kahawatte Plantations PLC announced the appointment of Binesh Neomal Pananwala as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with effect from October 1, 2023. Pananwala joins Kahawatte Plantations after serving as the CEO of Watawala Plantations PLC and Watawala Dairy Ltd. of Sunshine Holdings PLC. Watawala Plantations confirmed his resignation, stating that it took effect on September 30, 2023.

Pananwala currently holds the position of President All Island Dairy Association. He has over 31 years' experience in the plantation sector covering the tea, rubber, dairy, oil plam and other export development crops. Pananwala started his career as a Trainee Assistant Superintendent under the Janatha Estate Development Board in the year 1992 and was raised to the position of Chief Executive Officer.

He is a strong business development professional with a M.Sc. in Crop Science from the University of Peradeniya and a MBA from the Manipal (Sikkim) University.