Serendib Flour Mills continues to reinforce its commitment to people development and technical excellence with the recent international academic achievement of Tharindu Ihalagedara, Assistant Miller, who was awarded the Silver Medal at the International School of Milling Technology (ISMT), CSIR–Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), India.
The International School of Milling Technology, operating under CSIR–CFTRI in Mysuru, India, is widely regarded as one of the most recognised and prestigious milling education institutions in the world. With a legacy spanning several decades, CFTRI functions under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India’s premier national research and development organisation. ISMT has earned global acclaim for advancing professional expertise in flour milling and grain processing, attracting participants from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and beyond. Its intensive residential programs integrate scientific theory, practical plant training, laboratory exposure, and industrial best practices, creating a rigorous academic environment that shapes technical leaders for the global milling industry.
Within this internationally competitive setting, Ihalagedara successfully completed the prestigious one-year residential Flour Milling Technology Certificate Course, securing the second highest marks in his program and earning the Silver Medal. His accomplishment stands out not only as a personal milestone but also as a reflection of Serendib Flour Mills’ strategic investment in building high-calibre technical talent.
A graduate of the University of Moratuwa, Ihalagedara joined Serendib Flour Mills as an Assistant Miller, bringing with him a strong academic foundation and a passion for operational excellence. His consistent performance, technical discipline, and commitment within the milling function led to his selection for advanced professional training at CFTRI, an institution globally recognised for setting benchmarks in food technology, grain science, and milling innovation.
At Serendib Flour Mills, investing in people is not incidental; it is integral to sustaining operational leadership and long-term competitiveness. The organisation actively identifies and nurtures high-potential professionals by providing access to internationally respected learning platforms that strengthen technical capability, operational efficiency, and industry expertise. Exposure to global best practices ensures that local operations are continuously enhanced by world-class standards.
Ihalagedara’s recognition embodies Serendib’s core belief that when people grow, the organisation grows. By equipping its professionals with advanced knowledge and international exposure from one of the world’s foremost milling institutions, Serendib reinforces its commitment to continuous learning as a driver of excellence, innovation, and sustainability.
This achievement further underscores how global exposure translates into stronger local expertise, directly contributing to operational precision, product quality, and leadership within Sri Lanka’s milling and food manufacturing sector.
As Serendib Flour Mills continues its mission of nourishing the nation, it remains steadfast in developing technical leaders who will shape the future of the industry. Through structured capability development and partnerships with globally respected institutions such as CFTRI, the company positions itself not only as an industry leader, but as an employer that values learning, performance, and professional growth.
Caption - Tharindu Ihalagedara - Assistant Miller - Serendib Flour Mills (Pvt) Ltd
A.R.B.J Rajapaksha