The defining feature of Rockland’s culture today can be summed up in one word: open. A leadership team of 11 who sit as equals around a table reflect this culture, fostering open dialogue and collaboratively managing every aspect of the business. It also extends to the thoughtful practice of a temperature check, a weekly initiative to gauge everyone’s work and personal well-being. Openness truly lies at the heart of every interaction.
Amal de Silva Wijeyeratne, who joined the century-old family business at just 31 years old as Executive Director and now serves as the Group Managing Director, reflects on the pivotal moment when the torch was passed to him by his father, the current Chairman, Derek de Silva Wijeyeratne. The responsibility of leading a legacy business carried profound weight. “It was a realization that if we failed to grow, it wasn’t just about missing financial targets—it meant letting down the people who depend on us,” he recalls.
This sense of responsibility is felt throughout Rockland’s leadership team, where every leader is deeply committed to the company’s people, fostering a culture of accountability and care.
Resilience rooted in care: placing employee well-being above all else
From its inception, Rockland has embraced an ethos of family—one that extends beyond the Wijeyeratne lineage to include every employee. Amal de Silva Wijeyeratne reflects on his grandfather’s philosophy, a guiding principle passed down through generations: treat every employee as part of the Rockland family.
“When my father introduced me to the business, he said, ‘Treat everyone with respect and remember they’re part of the Rockland family.’ That’s been our foundation for a century,” Amal shares.
3rd and 4th generation family members of the Rockland Group: Devinda de Silva Wijeyeratne – Operations Director, Derek de Silva Wijeyeratne – Chairman, and Amal de Silva Wijeyeratne – Group Managing Director
This commitment was particularly evident during the post-pandemic recovery and recent economic challenges. Despite financial strains that brought the company to the brink multiple times, Rockland prioritized employee well-being over the bottom line. By consistently supporting its workforce, the company reaffirmed its accountability to everyone, ensuring its people remained at the heart of its operations.
Embracing uniqueness: a workplace of misfits
Rockland’s young and dynamic leadership team exemplifies the company’s commitment to nurturing emerging talent and embracing fresh ideas, with collaboration and openness as a cornerstone. This ethos extends to the workspace design inspired by cutting-edge IT firms, where uniform workstations shared by all employees, including the leadership team, have replaced traditional offices and cubicles. The workspace also features a mezzanine floor, a gym, a library and an in-house beverage studio—a space for employee training and product experimentation.
“The evolution of Rockland’s culture reflects in our workspaces,” Amal explains. “We’ve transitioned from a traditional office layout, with cubicles and partitions for senior management, to a modern, open workspace that includes flexible working hours tailored to the nature of the job. However, we’ve preserved key aspects of our heritage, like my grandfather’s clock at the reception entrance.”
Rockland also sees immense potential in grooming the next generation of industry leaders. “At Rockland, we take a customized approach to training and development, ensuring that our people grow alongside the company. We never wanted cookie-cutter people,” Amal explains.
Immersive internal events, such as cocktail competitions and innovative strategies to ensure every employee is well-versed in the company’s brands further exemplify this dynamic approach.
“We care more about someone’s character and commitment than where they went to school or where they are from.”
Furthermore, the company is deeply committed to providing an equal opportunity workplace. At its factory in Hanwella, women make up 40% of the workforce—a testament to Rockland’s recognition of women’s strengths, particularly in roles requiring meticulous attention to detail. Amal highlights that this progress wasn’t driven by a need to tick a box but rather by a genuine acknowledgement of the value women bring to the organization.
The group is also attentive to addressing microaggressions in the workplace, actively working to prevent and resolve such incidents. Rockland strongly believes in creating an environment where women are empowered to excel and given every opportunity to climb the leadership ladder.
Hands-on leadership
Looking ahead, Amal envisions a future where Rockland continues to lead with integrity and care, building upon the Chairman’s vision and the legacy of his predecessors. He stresses the importance of maintaining high ethical standards, ensuring that every aspect of the business—from timely payment of excise duties to employee welfare—reflects the company’s core values.
“We navigate challenging times with a clear sense of purpose. Integrity, for us, is black or white—it’s never grey. If you cross a red traffic light once, you may do it again. This principle applies to all aspects of life, not just the workplace. It’s ingrained in our culture that no one should bring forward a proposal involving even a hint of corrupt practice because they know it won’t be entertained.”
Amal also believes that effective leadership requires a hands-on approach, which he calls a “deep dive.” He encourages leaders to immerse themselves in the details of projects rather than relying solely on consultants. “It’s only when you truly understand the details that you can step back and see the bigger picture,” he asserts.
This philosophy permeates every level of the organization, fostering a culture where leaders and employees are empowered to take ownership and drive meaningful change.
As Rockland celebrates its centenary year, the company stands as a testament to the power of blending tradition with innovation. It has preserved its legacy and embraced the challenges of a modern, globalized world.