Dhammika Perera adds Harischandra Mills to portfolio

Business magnate Dhammika Perera has struck another major deal this year, acquiring a 40.58 percent stake in Harischandra Mills PLC for Rs.2.57 billion, further extending his footprint across key sectors of the economy.
The transaction, executed via Hayleys PLC, saw the conglomerate purchase 778,946 ordinary shares of Harischandra Mills from Senthilvel Holdings (Pvt.) Ltd, at Rs.3,300 per share, according to the disclosures filed with the Colombo Stock Exchange on Friday.
The acquisition makes Perera, through Hayleys, the new controlling shareholder of Harischandra Mills, a century-old Sri Lankan household brand known for its range of consumer staples, including flour, coffee and noodles. The sale also marks the exit of Senthilvel Holdings, which had been one of the company’s major shareholders.
In a separate filing, Harischandra Mills confirmed that an additional 177 shares were sold by Senthilvel Holdings to the market at prices between Rs.3,170 and 
Rs.4,515 per share.
With this latest purchase, Perera continues his aggressive investment streak in 2025. Last month, Vallibel One PLC, together with subsidiary LB Finance PLC, announced plans to acquire a majority stake in Associated Motor Finance Company PLC, expanding his reach in financial services.
Around the same time, Vallibel Three acquired a 50 percent stake in Laugfs Holdings, marking a major move into the energy and industrial space. Earlier, in July, Perera made headlines with a 77.4 percent acquisition of East West Properties PLC, valued at Rs.3.23 billion, strengthening his real estate portfolio.
In April, he also forayed into the cement industry, acquiring a 51 percent controlling stake in DHT Cement Ltd, a joint venture between Indian and Sri Lankan investors.