Dhanushka Kariyawasam
Entrepreneur & Multi-Industry Operations Professional
Building businesses across food & trade, hospitality, and finance — from Galle, Sri Lanka to the Gold Coast, Australia.
Profile
About
I'm a founder and operations professional with over a decade of experience spanning banking and finance, product-based entrepreneurship, and hospitality management. I founded DKNS Marketing in 2011, sourcing and exporting premium Sri Lankan tea and cinnamon, and later co-founded South Scooters and Daffodils Hill Cabana, a scooter rental service and vacation villa in Galle that I manage remotely from Australia.
Before entrepreneurship became my full-time focus, I spent almost 11 years at Senkadagala Finance PLC, rising to Manager and overseeing credit evaluation, recoveries, and branch operations. Since relocating to Australia, I've been broadening my skill set across food safety and quality (HACCP, GMP, ISO 22000), manufacturing operations, real estate, and mortgage broking — building a versatile, cross-industry foundation for what's next.
Founded & Operated
Ventures I've Founded.
DKNS Marketing
Founder · Self-employed · Galle, Sri Lanka · Aug 2011 – Present
A product-based business sourcing and supplying premium Sri Lankan tea and cinnamon, built on quality, authenticity, and customer satisfaction.
- ✦Sourced high-quality tea and cinnamon from trusted suppliers
- ✦Developed branding, packaging, and product positioning
- ✦Promoted products through social media and digital platforms
- ✦Managed customer inquiries, orders, and sales operations
South Scooters & Daffodils Hill Cabana
Founder & Remote Operations Manager · Self-employed · Galle, Sri Lanka (Remote) · Dec 2023 – Present
Oversee a trusted scooter rental service and a premium vacation rental villa, managing both remotely from Australia while leading local teams on the ground.
- ✦Coordinated local teams and day-to-day operations remotely
- ✦Managed online bookings, reservations, and customer communications
- ✦Oversaw fleet management, villa maintenance, and housekeeping
- ✦Developed marketing strategies to grow bookings and brand visibility
- ✦Streamlined booking processes through WhatsApp, email, and online platforms
Employment Record
Experience
AI Software & Web Developer
- ✦Design and develop AI-powered software and business automation platforms
- ✦Build modern web applications using Next.js, React, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS, and PostgreSQL
- ✦Create premium websites with responsive UI/UX and high-performance architecture
- ✦Integrate AI features such as intelligent assistants, document processing, workflow automation, and analytics
- ✦Deploy and manage applications on Vercel, including custom domains and cloud databases
- ✦Work directly with clients to gather requirements, design solutions, and deliver production-ready software
Capsule & Blending Supervisor
- ✦Supervise capsule manufacturing and blending, ensuring production targets are achieved
- ✦Perform bottling line setup, machine troubleshooting, parameter adjustments, and operational improvements
- ✦Operate and monitor automatic capsule filling machines for capsule production
- ✦Support packaging operations and warehouse activities including material movement and inventory handling
- ✦Possess basic knowledge of gummy manufacturing equipment and gummy production processes
- ✦Conduct machine setup, cleaning, maintenance, reassembly, and troubleshooting to minimise downtime
- ✦Prepare and review SOPs, BMRs, batch records, production documentation, and compliance reports
- ✦Participate in production planning, scheduling, and coordination with cross-functional departments
- ✦Conduct HACCP validation and verification activities to maintain food/pharmaceutical safety standards
- ✦Ensure all manufacturing activities comply with GMP, safety, and quality requirements
- ✦Collaborate with QA, QC, Warehouse, Maintenance, and Production teams to improve operational efficiency
- ✦Train employees on SOPs, GMP requirements, safety procedures, and machine operation
- ✦Assist with audits, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives
Production Operator
Operated and monitored automatic capsule machines (NJP 2500, NJP 3800, NJP 500, S40 EN, NSF 600, Ultra 8 II), including powder and liquid capsule lines, ensuring smooth production.
- ✦Performed machine setup, cleaning, reassembly, and maintenance
- ✦Executed dispensing, mixing, and sorting in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
- ✦Sampled and handled raw materials; dispensed, mixed, and blended pharmaceutical ingredients
- ✦Assisted in troubleshooting machinery to minimize downtime
Manager
- ✦Supervised inspections, credit appraisal, and credit investigation/evaluation
- ✦Managed customer evaluation activities: repayment capacity, earning capacity, business position, and account turnover
- ✦Handled recoveries and RMV transaction procedures, and all other credit functions
- ✦Managed and motivated marketing executives; organized training programs
- ✦Drove leasing and hire purchase targets, business promotions, and business introducer appointments
- ✦Oversaw all branch administration policies and procedures
Senior Executive
Diplomas & Coursework
Education
Diploma of Finance and Mortgage Broking Management
Entry Education · Sep 2025 – Apr 2026
Practical case studies in lending and mortgage assessment, including client profiling, loan structuring, and compliance requirements.
Certificate III in Civil Construction
Final Trim Training · May 2025 – Jun 2025
Construction management fundamentals, forklift operation, high-risk work management, and civil construction safety.
Diploma in Professional Human Resource Management
Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) · Jan 2015 – Nov 2015 · Grade: Merit Pass
Workforce planning, recruitment and selection, reward management, employee relations, performance management, and change management.
Diploma in Business Finance & Bank Management
Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka (IBSL) · Jan 2014 – Aug 2014 · Grade: Merit
Management for financial organizations, leasing and insurance, project appraisal and financing, strategic planning for finance and banking.
Advanced Certificate Course in Marketing Management
National Institute of Business Management (NIBM) · Jul 2012 – Mar 2013 · Grade: B+ Merit
Marketing concepts, consumer behaviour and branding, service and electronic marketing, and promotional practices.
Advanced Level, Commerce Stream
St. Aloysius' College · Jan 1996 – Aug 2009
Business Studies, Accounting, and Economics.
Credentials Log
Licenses & Certifications
Internal Food Safety Auditor ISO 22000:2018 & ISO 19011:2018
SAI Global · Issued Jun 2026 · Expires Jun 2036
Food Safety Culture — Manager Course
SAI Global · Issued May 2026
GMP for Food Safety and ISO 22000
GxP Training · Issued Jun 2026 · Expires Jan 2027
CPP41419 Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice (QLD)
Entry Education · Issued Apr 2026
HACCP Validation and Verification
Intertek SAI Global · Issued Apr 2026
Diploma of Finance and Mortgage Broking Management
Entry Education · Issued Apr 2026
Quality Control Training
Intertek SAI Global · Issued Jan 2026
Forklift Certification
Final Trim Training · Issued Jun 2025
Principles and Applications of HACCP
Intertek SAI Global · Issued Jan 2026 · Expires Jan 2031
Capabilities
Skills
Correspondence
Get in Touch
Interested in working together, sourcing Sri Lankan tea & cinnamon, booking a stay, or just want to connect?