Speaker Profile

Currently the Managing Director and senior advisor of a boutique advisory which specializes in capital restructuring, fund raise and business reorganization. Since its start, the company has advised entities in Malaysia, Australia, Philippines, India, Indonesia and Sri Lanka on MNO & Telco infrastructure restructuring and capital raise, and is an advisor to large international Telco Infrastructure Funds in the region. 

Prior to Track Consulting, Thivanka was part of the founding team and Group CFO of edotco Group, a subsidiary of Axiata group Berhad and the largest towerco in the region and today the 6th largest Globally. edotco manages passive infrastructure in Malaysia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Pakistan, Myanmar, Laos and Philippines. Thivanka led the landmark private placement of $700m for the Group introducing Malaysia’s Sovereign Wealth Fund Khazanah, Federal Pension Fund (KWAP) and the Japanese public-private equity arm, Innovation Network Corporation Japan into its shareholding, Thivanka was also responsible for the Group’s debt funding in various entities in facilities of up to $1b. 

Prior to edotco, Thivanka was both Executive Assistant to the President and Group CEO of Axiata as well as Head/ VP Regional Development and Investor Relations of the Group. He managed the operational performance & KPI management of Axiata’s operating companies (Opcos) and its Senior Leadership Teams and represented the Group at the Opcos’ Exco’s and Boards. He was also key in the Group’s strategic initiatives including being instrumental in the planning and set up of edotco.

Before his move to Malaysia, Thivanka was the Group Chief Commercial Officer at Dialog Telekom PLC Sri Lanka (an Axiata subsidiary) and was responsible for the Dialog Group’s Business Development, New Business Operations, Supply Chain Management, and Investor Relations. Having started with Dialog Group in 1997, Thivanka has served in many capacities, primarily heading the Corporate Finance function of the group, engaged in and led several strategic initiatives including strategic M&A, Project Management, CRM, Content management and General Management of the Company’s R&D activities. Thivanka also played a key role in the company’s record-breaking listing initiatives (IPO). Thivanka also led a team that won the GSMA awards (the Oscars of the Telcom industry) for three consecutive years. 

Thivanka holds an MBA from the University of Western Sydney, Australia and is a Fellow of CIMA [FCMA/CGMA], Fellow [FCPA] of CPA Australia and a Member of the institute of accountants Malaysia as well as Member of the IMSL. He is also an Alumni of INSEAD.