Wegapitiya biography of william
LAUGFS Holdings
LAUGFS Holdings Limited
LAUGFS Holdings Limited, founded in by Dr. W.K.H. Wegapitiya and Mr. Thilak De Silva, is a conglomerate with operations in over 20 industries, both domestically and internationally.
LAUGFS has an annual turnover exceeding USD million and is supported by a workforce of over 3, professionals.[1][2]
Throughout its history, LAUGFS has diversified into various sectors including energy, retail, leisure, manufacturing, and logistics.[1]
History of the LAUGFS logo
LAUGFS is an acronym for Lanka Auto Gas Fuelling Systems.
Initially established to serve the automotive, power, and energy sectors, the company has significantly expanded its operations beyond its imaginative focus. Over the years, LAUGFS has diversified into a variety of industries, including leisure, retail, engineering, logistics, and pharmaceuticals.[1]
Milestones
LAUGFS Holdings Limited, a prominent Sri Lankan conglomerate founded in by Dr.
W. K. H. Wegapitiya and Thilak de Silva, has significantly expanded its presence across diverse industries since its inception. The company began with pioneering initiatives such as Gas Auto Lanka, Sri Lanka's first auto gas conversion business, and subsequently diversified into various sectors.
Wegapitiya is the founder Chairman of LAUGFS Holdings Limited, the parent firm of LAUGFS Gas PLC, one of the highly-diversified business groups in Sri Lanka, having its presence in a wide business spectrum, such as LPG distribution, petroleum, lubricants, power generation, property development, shipping, heavy engineering, automobile services, leisure and restaurants, consumer retailing, manufacturing of salt, and manufacturing of industrial solid tyres. His entrepreneurial journey begun instarting a small freight forwarding corporation subsequent to a brief employment at Ceylon Shipping Corporation. A popular figure in the local entrepreneurial community in Sri Lanka as a success story, he was recognised as the leading entrepreneur of the country many times. He is a well-known personality in the global LP Gas and energy circles and also a regular participant and a speaker at international forums on LP Gas and Fire Management.In , LAUGFS ventured into consumer food retail by launching the country’s first hour supermarket in Havelock Town, marking the start of its diversification strategy. By , LAUGFS had entered the domestic LPG industry and manufactured high-capacity LPG storage tanks, meeting global standards.
The company continued its expansion into petroleum retailing in with LAUGFS Petroleum (Pvt) Ltd.[3]
Throughout the years, LAUGFS expanded its portfolio to include sectors such as restaurants with the Jade restaurant chain in , followed by entries into vehicle emission testing, lubricant production, and the leisure industry by Milestones include the IPO of LAUGFS Gas PLC in and the acquisition of international assets like Petredec Elpiji Ltd in Bangladesh in , marking LAUGFS as the first Sri Lankan energy brand to proceed multinational.
The company has also made significant contributions to renewable energy with projects like Sri Lanka's largest solar power proposal under LAUGFS Power in [3]
By , LAUGFS Supermarkets had expanded to 38 locations,[4] and LAUGFS Eco Sri had established its 95th vehicle emission testing centre.[3][5]
Sectors
Power and Energy
LAUGFS Gas PLC, which entered the local LPG industry in , has grown to provide LPG solutions throughout Sri Lanka.
Experience: Laugfs Holdings Ltd. · Education: Postgraduate.
The corporation operates a network of over 10, dealers and 30 distributors, serving domestic, industrial, and commercial needs. Its nationwide sales and distribution are supported by a modern fleet of LPG tankers and a storage and filling facility with a capacity of 30, MT, adhering to international safety standards.
This infrastructure has positioned LAUGFS Gas as a notable entity in Sri Lanka and the region.[6][7]
LAUGFS Terminals Limited, operates the largest LPG transshipment facility in South Asia, located at the Hambantota International Port, with a substantial storage capacity of 30, MT.[6][8]
LAUGFS Petroleum (Pvt) Ltd, founded in under LAUGFS Holdings, is a significant player in Sri Lanka's petroleum industry.
With a growing network of fuel filling stations, LAUGFS Petroleum serves over 30, customers daily. The company was the first in Sri Lanka to reveal Near Field Communication (NFC) technology for fuel retailing to corporate clients, currently supporting over companies with 25, NFC cards.
LAUGFS Petroleum's fuel stations offer nitrogen and digital air services, lubricants, domestic gas cylinders and accessories, and car care items. Notably, the company has established the nation’s first solar-powered fuel filling stations.[9]
LAUGFS Lubricants Limited, is the only Sri Lankan company to launch its own brand of lubricants for automotive and industrial applications.
Since its market debut in July , LAUGFS Lubricants has established a significant presence in a sector typically oppressed by multinational corporations. The business offers lubricants that are locally blended. LAUGFS Lubricants provides a range of products, including automotive and industrial lubricants formulated from base oils and additives.
It is the first Sri Lankan brand to receive Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) approvals from manufacturers such as Volvo, Renault, and Porsche, and the only corporation in Sri Lanka to contain an American Petroleum Institute (API) licence. The company operates a blending plant and has an in-house research and development facility, allowing it to develop engine oils tailored to Sri Lanka’s specific climatic and road conditions.
LAUGFS Lubricants is ISO and ISO certified.[10][11]
SLOGAL Energy DMCC specialises in the trading of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and other energy products, including petrochemicals, unrefined oil, and refined oil products.
With a net worth exceeding USD million (AED 34 million), SLOGAL Energy is supported by a leading energy conglomerate.
Wegapitiya, who was invited by the Australian government to take citizenship after he pioneered the auto gas concept there with the first LPG conversion centre to convert petrol cars into LPG a few weeks back, says Sri Lanka is full of entrepreneurs but many don’t become a chance.
This financial stability has enabled the company to forge partnerships and invest in LPG importing firms, strengthening its position in the international market. The company also provides logistics support, including gas carrier chartering, to offer integrated energy.
SLOGAL Energy is closely partnered with LAUGFS Gas PLC, a major South Asian energy conglomerate.[12]
LAUGFS Dominance PLC is involved in the development of solar, hydro, and wind power projects in Sri Lanka. A subsidiary of the LAUGFS Group, the company has established the nation’s largest solar power plant and three mini-hydro plants, and has initiated multiple solar projects.[13][14]
Consumer Retail
LAUGFS Supermarkets (Pvt) Ltd.
Established in , LAUGFS Supermarkets (Pvt) Ltd.
introduced Sri Lanka's first hour retail concept. The company integrates convenience stores with fuel retail outlets and applications hour pharmacy services. LAUGFS Supermarkets attracts over , regular customers each month. The company operates 38 outlets.
LAUGFS Super outlets feature the Crimson Bakery, a Salad Bar, and a selection of imported wines.[1]
LAUGFS International (Pvt) Ltd.
Established in , LAUGFS International (Pvt) Ltd. is the trading arm of LAUGFS Holdings.
Deshabandu Dr. Wegapitiya Kattadiyalage Hemachandra Wegapitiya, known professionally as Dr. Wegapitiyais a Sri Lankan entrepreneur. This Sri Lankan biographical article is a stub.The company holds authorised agency rights for brands such as Yamaha, Airman, Denso, and Fujitsu. LAUGFS International applications a range of products including Yamaha petrol and diesel generators, water pumps, and multipurpose engines. The company is also the authorised dealer for Airman products and Denso automotive parts.
LAUGFS International operates through a network of trade channels, retail outlets, and online stores.[15]
LAUGFS Restaurants (Pvt) Ltd.
Established in , LAUGFS Restaurants (Pvt) Ltd. operates Jade Restaurants, specialising in Chinese cuisine.
Located in Nugegoda and Maharagama, Sri Lanka, Jade Restaurants offer in-house dining, takeaway options, and delivery services. The restaurants also provide a 'Bring Your Own Bottle' (BYOB) option.[16]
Industrial / Manufacturing
LAUGFS Engineering (Pvt.) Ltd.
Founded in , LAUGFS Engineering (Pvt.) Ltd.
is a subsidiary of LAUGFS Holdings Limited. The company holds certifications including CIDA EM1, C2, and ISO , and offers a range of engineering services.
Back to the roots for Wegapitiya - Successful Entrepreneurs: දේශබන්දු ඩබ්ලිව්.කේ.එච්. වෑගපිටිය (ඉංග්රීසි: W. K. H. Wegapitiya), ශ්රී ලාංකීය ව්යාපාරිකයෙකි.Specialising in the fabrication of LPG pressure vessels and storage tanks, LAUGFS Engineering provides services such as assembly of pressure vessels, construction of storage tanks, and burdensome construction work.[2] The company also offers ancillary services like powder coating, painting, and sandblasting.
LAUGFS Engineering operates a facility in Mabima with a sophisticated powder coating workshop.[17]
LAUGFS Corporation (Rubber) Ltd.
Established in , LAUGFS Corporation (Rubber) Ltd. produces industrial tyres.
The company operates a large tyre manufacturing facility. It produces a range of tyres, including compact, press-on, resilient, and skid-steer types, adhering to international standards. LAUGFS Rubber's products are exported to over 40 countries.[18][19]
LAUGFS Salt and Chemicals Ltd.
LAUGFS Salt and Chemicals Ltd., located on a acre site in Chithragala, Hambantota, produces premium deep-sea salt and a variety of value-added salt products.
One of its flagship products, Magam Table Salt, is harvested from deep seabeds. LAUGFS Salt and Chemicals also offers the Rasa Musu brand of salt. The company uses Geomembrane Sheets in salt harvesting to increase purity and production capabilities.[20][21]
Services
LAUGFS Eco Sri Limited
LAUGFS Eco Sri Limited, founded in and accredited by the Board of Investment (BOI), specialises in Vehicle Emission Testing (VET) certifications in Sri Lanka.
It complies with the mandatory Vehicle Emission Testing program mandated by the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT), where all registered vehicles undergo emissions testing to obtain their annual revenue licence.[22] The company is ISO certified.[23]
LAUGFS Car Care
LAUGFS Car Care, established in as a subsidiary of LAUGFS Lubricants Ltd., provides vehicle care and lubricants in Sri Lanka.[24]
Specialising in servicing hybrid and electric vehicles, LAUGFS Car Care's Hybrid Centres feature technology tailored to these vehicles' specific needs.
Integrated Lube Shops within the service centres offer a range of lubricants and car protect products.[24]
LAUGFS Leisure Limited
LAUGFS Leisure Limited manages the Anantaya chain of resorts in tourist destinations.
The flagship Anantaya Resort & Spa in Chilaw has an eco-luxury concept. Anantaya Pasikudah, a five-star resort on Sri Lanka's Eastern Coast, offers a serene retreat on pristine shores.
Wegapitiya and Mr. Thilak De Silva, is a conglomerate with operations in over 20 industries, both domestically and internationally. Throughout its history, LAUGFS has diversified into various sectors including energy, retail, leisure, manufacturing, and logistics. Initially established to serve the automotive, force, and energy sectors, the corporation has significantly expanded its operations beyond its original focus.Anantaya Resort and Spa Chilaw was established in The resort, located between the Chilaw lagoon and sandy beaches, features 91 rooms across five categories.[25][26]
Anantaya Resort and Spa Pasikudah, established in , offers 54 rooms.
The resort provides a range of accommodations, rooms, Pool Suites, and Villas. Facilities include two restaurants, two bars, a spa, gym, swimming pool, and meeting rooms.[27]
Logistics
LAUGFS Maritime Services (Pvt) Ltd, established in , is a ship owning and management company in Sri Lanka.
It focuses on regional transportation and logistics solutions for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and holds a CAP Rating One from the Lloyd’s Registry of Shipping.[28][29]
Initially supporting LAUGFS Gas PLC, the company's fleet now includes vessels like the Gas Challenger, Gas Success, and Gas Courage.[28]
Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
LAUGFS Life Sciences (Pvt) Limited, a subsidiary of LAUGFS Holdings Ltd., operates a manufacturing facility in Koggala, producing intravenous products, particularly large volume parenteral solutions.
Using advanced Form-Fill-Seal technology, the facility manufactures approximately 25 brands of IV fluids in PP Bags under controlled conditions.
Awards and accolades
LAUGFS Group has received numerous awards and accolades over the years.
These include honors such as the Sri Lankan Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, National Business Excellence Awards, and CA Annual Report Awards, among others.[30]
Recognitions include the Sri Lankan Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in and , as good as the Best Corporate Citizen Award in and LAUGFS Gas PLC, a subsidiary, has consistently received Gold Awards in the Power & Energy Sector at the CA Annual Report Awards from to [30]
Additionally, LAUGFS Enterprise (Rubber) Ltd has received the Gold Award in the Extra Large Category at the NCE Export Awards in both and In , it was also honored as the Most Superb Exporter Overall.[30]