About Us
The Company
Operating since 1983, Mercantile Produce Brokers Private Limited is a tea brokering company that has grown progressively by ways of linking the producers of high-quality Ceylon Tea to potential buyers in the country. Ensuring the quality of tea, bidding for the best price, adhering to sound financial policies which would benefit the parties involved and upholding the time-honoured practices of a Tea Broker are few of the many services we offer.
Since its inception, the organization has come to be known as a forerunner in the field, bringing together both buyers and sellers to a common platform in competitive market situations. Over three decades of operations saw many changes both structurally and technologically, with the company establishing itself as a key player in the marketing of low and mid grown teas. It has also entered the corporate and smallholder grower sector with high rates of success. Having gained immense expertise in the field, we’ve been able to strategize and forecast favourable situations, which has led to a significant value addition to this national crop.
One of its main areas of service includes tea warehousing which allows many high-end tea estates to store their produce in well-equipped and technologically advanced facilities. Today the company has completed over 30 valuable years of operation as a licensed tea broker, armed with a team of highly knowledgeable and skilled individuals who strive to take it to greater heights. An indomitable combination of competent staff, industry expertise, and great leadership, this is the philosophy of Mercantile Produce Brokers Private Limited.
Mr. Samantha Dodanwela currently serves in the capacity of Managing Director/CEO and counts over twenty-five years of invaluable experience in Tea Brokering. His technical expertise in Tea Tasting and Tea Auctioning has helped immensely in delivering a stellar service to our valued clients. He also serves in the Executive Committee of the Colombo Tea Traders' Association and in the Tea Tasting panel of Sri Lanka Tea Board.
Previously he served as the Vice Chairman of Colombo Brokers’ Association and the Interim Chairman.
Mr. Ramesh Rayappan currently serves in the capacity of director /CEO and he worked as a auctioneer /broker, tea taster and valuer over 25 years of experience in the tea trade. He severed as a director of Barleet Produce Marketing for a period of 12 years prior to joining Mercantile.
During his career he has held appointments as board director of Colombo Broker Association 2017 to 2019, committee member of Ceylon chamber of commerce for the year 2018/2019 and panel member, Sri Lanka Tea Board.
He was successfully completed Master of business administration (MBA) at Cardiff Metropolitan University of United Kingdom in 2014. He is a Certified professional marketer (CPM), Asia since 2015. Member of Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM). He also completed the Post graduate diploma Marketing/ Chartered Institute of Marketing – UK in December
Mr. Ishan Goonetileke joined the tea trade in the year 1989 and swiftly climbed the corporate ladder proving his worth to the industry. He has also served as the interim convener, of the tea sub-committee of the Colombo Brokers’ Association during the period of 2015/2016. He presently serves as a Director of the company. Completing a period of over a decade and a half, he has well-honed his skills in all areas pertaining to the tea industry.
Mr. Vishana Madawela serves in the capacity of Director – Tea, responsible for the company’s Tea – Tasting, Valuing, and Marketing of mainly Low grown teas. With an impressive service of over seventeen years in Tea Brokering, his expertise in Tea Auctioning and Tasting is a huge leverage in delivering a high-quality service to the tea industry.
Mr. Chaminda Senaviratne is an Associate member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka and also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Colombo. He has over 10 years of experience in financial reporting and management across different industries. He is also a Director of Tangalla Bay Hotels (Pvt) Ltd.
Mr. Manjula Jayasinghe serves the trade in the capacity of tea auctioneer, valuer, and taster, spanning more than 20 years. Holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Cardiff Metropolitan University of United Kingdom in 2019. During his career, he has served as the Tea Convener in 2018–19.