Thushara Perera, Group Director Marketing, Derana has been conferred with the prestigious Platinum Honours 2014 at the PIMA Platinum Honours 2014.

The Platinum Honours 2013/14 is the ultimate honors conferred on a PIM Alum by PIM Alumni, which is the largest in Sri Lanka with over 1,500 active members who are at senior managerial level in both private and public sector organizations.

It sets and honour the achievers of professional excellence standards set by the PIM Alumni. Adjudged by an eminent panel, it recognize the achievements and contributions made in academic as well as professional spheres; with special emphasis on contribution to the business and public management community and society at large.

Thushara Perera of Derana, as the President of the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) during the period 2011/2012 achieved his greatest accomplishment of all when he was able to bring down the ‘Father of Modern Marketing’ Professor Philip Kotler for the first time to Sri Lanka which was a dream come true for all Sri Lankan marketers.

He transformed SLIM and its public image within this short period of one year, so that today SLIM is considered the most active professional body in the country and a premier Institute. He leveraged on Kotler’s visit to bring SLIM to the limelight and thereby built on the momentum achieved by carrying out the largest number of projects in SLIM history.

He introduced many new products and services, expanded distribution, developed infrastructure to unprecedented levels and went on to secure the highest honor for SLIM at the National Business Excellence Award for 2011/12.

Whilst doing all this he achieved the highest ever recorded bottomline in SLIM history, by growing it by over 60% from its previous best.

Thushara Perera has been invited to be on the panel of judges of many recognized awards programmes.

Thushara Perera is also the Group Director Marketing and Sales for Derana, overlooking the Marketing and Sales operations of TV Derana, FM Derana, Derana Digital and its latest addition Ada Derana 24X7 - the 24 Hour News Channel.