JAT HOLDINGS
RANK 89
“JAT has always been a brand synonymous with quality, customer satisfaction and service excellence – values that have sustained us through every economic cycle”
Founder and Managing Director
Q: As Sri Lanka continues to pursue economic and political stability, how is the corporate sector driving growth while overcoming challenges that persist on many fronts?
A: The resilience of Sri Lanka’s corporate sector has been truly remarkable. Despite the challenges such as inflation, high interest rates and foreign exchange volatility, corporates have continued to anchor national recovery through innovation, export growth and private investment.
Unfortunately, the most damaging challenges the private sector continues to face stem from policy inconsistency. Predictability and accountability in governance are critical for private enterprises to plan, invest and grow sustainably.
At JAT Holdings, we believe that long-term stability must come from creating sustainable value while also focussing on short-term profit. Our strategy has been to strengthen local R&D and secure technology transfer agreements to ensure that Sri Lanka remains at the forefront of innovation.
We have introduced the latest technologies in the areas we operate in – from paints to electric vehicle (EV) chargers to furniture finishing. We have improved our local manufacturing capabilities, expanded exports and reduced dependency on imports.
Q: What are your group’s goals and objectives for financial year 2025/26?
A: Our overarching goal for the financial year is sustainable growth through partnerships and acquisitions, both geographically and operationally. We are entering a phase of consolidation and expansion – consolidating our leadership in wood coatings and water based products locally while expanding regionally into South Asia and Oceania.
The acquisition of Mirotone Australia and New Zealand, a 90-year-old leading brand in these markets, is a key milestone – enabling JAT to position itself as a truly regional coatings powerhouse with a diversified product portfolio and advanced R&D capabilities. This acquisition provides access to new technologies, markets and talent, which strengthen JAT’s innovation ecosystem and global competitiveness.
In parallel, we are investing heavily in automation, AI enabled process optimisation and IoT based manufacturing systems, to enhance efficiency and quality consistency across all plants.
Mirotone will take us to new market geographies, making JAT one of the very few Sri Lankan organisations that have truly gone international – a source of pride and responsibility for us as we represent local enterprise on a global stage.
Q: How is your company faring against the backdrop of the prevailing macroeconomic milieu?
A: While the macroeconomic environment remains challenging, disciplined financial management and prudent capital allocation have kept JAT on a strong footing. The reduction in interest rates and relative exchange rate stability have provided much needed breathing room, though the tax burden on corporates continues to constrain reinvestment capacity.
We have mitigated these headwinds through export diversification and an expanding global footprint with growing demand from Bangladesh, Australia and the Maldives. At the same time, we have strengthened our local manufacturing ecosystem to reduce exposure to imported raw materials and volatile exchange rates.
The shift in consumer sentiment towards durable, high quality and environmentally responsible finishes has also supported our premium product lines. Through all of this, our focus on operational discipline and customer trust has ensured steady progress, even amid turbulence.
JAT has always been a brand synonymous with quality, customer satisfaction and service excellence – values that have sustained us through every economic cycle.
Q: What is your assessment of the country’s image risk profile at this juncture?
A: Sri Lanka’s image has improved significantly over the past year. The IMF programme and government reforms have reassured international stakeholders of the country’s fiscal discipline and policy continuity. Investor sentiment is gradually improving and we are beginning to see early signs of renewed confidence.
However, political uncertainty and inconsistent regulatory frameworks continue to create perceptual risks among investors. To rebuild long-term credibility, Sri Lanka must maintain policy stability, transparent governance and investor friendly reforms.
The private sector’s role is equally critical. By demonstrating excellence, compliance and good governance, companies such as JAT can help reshape the global narrative around Sri Lanka as a responsible and resilient investment destination.
Q: How can Sri Lanka improve its ease of doing business and competitiveness on the international stage?
A: Reforms must focus on digital governance, faster approvals and consistent policy implementation. Businesses today require predictability to plan and invest confidently. A simplified tax regime, transparent customs processes, and efficient land and environmental clearance systems would go a long way in improving investor confidence.
Moreover, aligning vocational and technical education with industry needs will strengthen the human capital base. We must also actively support local manufacturers through R&D grants and access to financing. In certain high skill sectors, allowing the import of specialist talent can help bridge the immediate capability gaps and transfer expertise to local teams.
If we do this right, the Made in Sri Lanka tag can become synonymous with quality, innovation and trust across global markets.
Q: What trends do you observe in your sector – and what have you done as a business to optimise some of these?
A: The coatings sector is undergoing a notable transformation driven by sustainability, digitalisation and innovation. Consumers increasingly value low volatile organic compound (VOC), water based and environmentally responsible products – a space in which JAT is already a leader.
We have capitalised on these trends through continuous R&D investment, launching next generation water based coatings and best in class decorative paints specifically designed for tropical climates.
Additionally, our digital platform White by JAT enhances the customer journey through online ordering while our JAT loyalty programme adds value to our core painter base – thereby redefining how Sri Lankans experience paint and design.
Our strategy is simple: lead through innovation, deliver through service and differentiate through quality. This approach has kept us at the forefront of industry transformation.
Q: How is your group embracing environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) standards?
A: ESG is at the heart of JAT’s corporate philosophy and an integral part of how we create long-term value. Environmentally, we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint by expanding Sri Lanka’s EV charging network and transitioning toward greener, low emission paint formulations. We have also invested in solar installations across key manufacturing and office facilities to support energy self-sufficiency.
Socially, our flagship JAT Pintharu Abhiman programme continues to empower Sri Lanka’s painter community through training, National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) certification and professional development. This initiative not only uplifts livelihoods but also enhances industry standards – with one in five NVQ certified participants progressing to establish their own businesses.
From a governance perspective, we as a listed entity uphold the highest standards of transparency, ethical conduct and stakeholder accountability. We see ESG not as an obligation but a business advantage that builds trust and longevity.
Telephone 4407700 | Email info@jatholdings.com | Website www.jatholdings.com
