COVER STORY

TWENTY-SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE EDITION

LMD’S PAST BUSINESS ICONS

LMD pays tribute to 27 Sri Lankan business leaders who have steered the nation’s engine of growth through challenging times

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a host of challenges impacting businesses and people across the world in unprecedented ways.

Although this crisis has proved to be unlike any other before it, Sri Lanka is no stranger to tumultuous events: our island nation has had to contend with its share of challenges during LMD’s journey, which began in 1994 when the pioneering business magazine was launched.

STUMBLING BLOCKS Chief among the events of the last 27 years is the civil war and terrorism that engulfed the nation, in addition to the 2004 Asian tsunami, the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks and most recently, the pandemic.

We have also had to grapple with the ill effects of widespread corruption, politicisation in the extreme, nepotism and policy inconsistencies, all of which have created a climate of uncertainty for businesses and citizens alike.

ENGINE OF GROWTH Despite these glaring stumbling blocks, the corporate sector – a.k.a. the nation’s engine of growth – has established an enviable track record of business acumen and success, thanks not only to Sri Lanka’s resilient workforce but also its leadership.

Not only have our past business icons led from the front, they’ve also manoeuvred their organisations through the obstacle course and elevated them to great heights while enhancing Sri Lanka’s image on the international stage in many instances.

SOURCE OF INSPIRATION In this commemorative special edition, LMD pays tribute to Past Business Icons who built their companies and brands during these difficult times, and steered their organisations through numerous calamities during the course of the magazine’s 27 year lifespan.

Given their achievements in the face of adversity through the years, these businesspeople serve as a source of inspiration for future generations of leaders as they contend with new and unexpected challenges.

HONOUR ROLL CALL LMD’s roll call of corporate honour pays homage to 27 business leaders from diverse fields in the corporate sector who are no longer actively involved in our world of business (including sadly, those who are no longer with us, which counts for as many as 11 of the 27 in our hall of fame).

Having said that, some of them continue to inspire Sri Lanka’s corporate sector in their capacity as figureheads, and others continue to serve the public sector and engage in philanthropic activities, as they look to give back to their communities and the country.

SECTOR ATTRIBUTES Leading the pack so to speak are personalities representing diversified holdings, followed by financial services, manufacturing, tourism, tea and professional services among others.

It is also worth noting that many of them have been active in multiple sectors during their careers, which bears testimony to the multitasking roles they’ve played during their tenures.

BUSINESS AWARDS Interestingly, 43 of the organisations that these past business icons have been a part of were listed in the inaugural edition of LMD’s Most Awarded last year while 30 appeared in the 2019/20 edition of the LMD 100.

What’s more, they’ve also been a part of 15 of the Most Valuable Brands in Sri Lanka (compiled by Brand Finance and published by LMD – in the Brands Annual – in May this year) and 27 are among the Most Respected entities for 2021.

PRIMARY EDUCATION We were also curious as to where our past business icons were educated – and to this end, LMD’s research indicates that a majority were educated at St. Joseph’s, followed by Royal and S. Thomas’. And while most pursued their schooling in Colombo, a few were educated in the outstations.

Meanwhile, at least seven of them possess additional professional qualifications from local and international bodies, such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).

COVETED TITLES There’s also the question of recognition for services rendered to the nation with as many as 12 of the 27 business icons having been bestowed the titles ‘Deshamanya’ and ‘Deshabandu’ – the second and third highest national honours of Sri Lanka awarded by the state, for ‘highly meritorious’ and ‘meritorious’ service respectively.

Meanwhile, eight of LMD’s past business icons have been conferred Lifetime Achievement Awards by LMD since 2008 while two have also been among our A List of Sri Lankan businesspeople since 2018.

And to cap it all, there’s one title-holder of our highest honour – viz. LMD’s Sri Lankan of the Year.

– LMD

Deshamanya Abbas Akbarally

Deshamanya Abbas Akbarally made a name for himself as a legend in the local tea industry, laying claim to a track record spanning over half a century. Commencing his career in 1951 in the tea department of Hebtulabhoy & Company – a family business founded by his grandfather – Akbarally eventually established Akbar Brothers in 1969 along with his brothers, focussing on tea manufacturing. Serving as the organisation’s Chairman since its inception, he led it through challenging periods including when the country’s tea plantations were nationalised in 1971/72, and pushed diversification efforts in sectors such as cement, and wind and hydropower.

EDUCATION
St. Peter’s College

PAST DIRECTORSHIPS
Akbar Brothers

HIGHLIGHTS
Awarded the title ‘Deshamanya’ in 2017
Recognised among LMD’s A List of Sri Lankan businesspeople
A past President of the Colombo Tea Traders’ Association (CTTA)
A former Honorary Consul for Jordan
Served the Bohra community as Mulla for several years and promoted to ‘Sheikh’

Hemaka Amarasuriya

Hemaka Amarasuriya has held numerous positions in the corporate sector over the years, serving in various positions includ-ing Chairman of Singer (Sri Lanka) during his tenure with the group in Asia, which spanned as many as four decades. An accountant by profession, he is considered to be among the ‘revolutionary nonconformist marketing accountants’ in the country. Amarasuriya is also credited with masterminding Singer’s transformation from being a sewing machine brand to the consumer durables giant it is today.

EDUCATION
Mahinda College | Royal College

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka)
Fellow member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
Honorary fellowship from the Chartered Institute of Marketing – UK (CIM)
Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)

PRESENT DIRECTORSHIPS
ACL Cables | C. W. Mackie | Micro Cars
Lanka Aluminium Industries

PAST DIRECTORSHIPS
Singer (Sri Lanka) | Sri Lanka Insurance
National Development Bank | Bata Exports
Bata Shoe Company of Ceylon
Acme Printing & Packaging

HIGHLIGHTS
Conferred the Retail Leadership Award at the Asia Retail Congress (ARC)
Recognised as a Visionary Business Leader by CIM (UK)
Listed among LMD’s A List of Sri Lankan businesspeople
Awarded the CIMA Business Icon award at the CIMA Star and CIMA Business Icon Awards
Inducted into the CA Sri Lanka Hall of Fame in 2012 in recognition of his services to the profession and public
A recipient of LMD’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010
A former Chairman of the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC)
The founder President of the Industrial Association of Sri Lanka (IASL)
The founder President of CIM Sri Lanka
A past President of the Colombo Club

Mahendra Amarasuriya

Mahendra Amarasuriya is a banker with more than 40 years of experience in management, having served as a director and chairman of several companies in the country. During his tenure as the Chairman of the Commercial Bank of Ceylon, the bank was recognised by international organisations such as the Banker and Global Finance Magazine on multiple occasions. In addition, Amarasuriya lays claim to being the only Sri Lankan to be elected as International President of Lions Clubs International.

EDUCATION
Royal College | University of Ceylon

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Fellow member of the Institute of Management of Sri Lanka (IMSL)
Honorary fellow of the Association of Business Executives – UK (ABE)
Honorary member of the Institute of Personnel Management – Sri Lanka (IPM)

PRESENT DIRECTORSHIPS
Equity Investments Lanka

HIGHLIGHTS
Honorary life member of the Planters’ Association of Ceylon
Conferred the Most Outstanding Citizen Award by Lions Club District 306A in 1998
Recipient of the Strategic Leadership Award at the World HRD Congress 2010
Recognised at the Sarvodaya Trust Fund’s Annual National Awards Ceremony in 2009
A past President of Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF)
A former Chairman of the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (ECF)
A former Chairman of the Planters’ Association of Ceylon
A former Chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka (ICCSL)
A former Chairman of the Joint Business Forum of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Employers’ Organisation and Trade Associations of Sri Lanka (JBIZ)
A former Chairman of the Regional Industry Service Committee of the North Western Province
A former Chairman of the National Agribusiness Council
A former Chairman of the IMSL
A former Chairman of the Plastics & Rubber Institute of Sri Lanka (PRISL)
A former member of the Employees’ Trust Fund Board (ETF)
A committee member of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Fund

Rajan Asirwatham

Rajan Asirwatham is a highly regarded accountancy professional, having occupied the post of Country Head of one of the ‘Big Four’ global audit firms in Sri Lanka. He is said to have set benchmarks in audit and advisory services during this tenure. What’s more, he has earned a reputation for embodying the values of honesty and integrity throughout his career. Asirwatham has held several important positions in the public sector and professional organisations, and continues to serve on the boards of corporates and engage in various social activities.

EDUCATION
Thomas’ College

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka)

PAST DIRECTORSHIPS
KPMG Sri Lanka
Bank of Ceylon
CIC Holdings

HIGHLIGHTS
Inducted to the Global Accounting Hall of Fame by the Institute of Certified Management Accountants – Australia (ICMA) in 2017
Recipient of LMD’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016
Chairman of the Governance and Audit Committee of CA Sri Lanka
Sits on the boards of S. Thomas’ College, Bishop’s College and Trinity College
Served as a Senior Partner and Country Head of KPMG(formerly Ford Rhodes Thornton & Co)
A former Chairman of the Steering Committee for the Sustainable Tourism Project funded by the World Bank for the Ministry of Tourism
A former member of the Presidential Commission on Taxation
A former member of Advisory Council of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce

Deshamanya Ken Balendra

Deshamanya Ken Balendra is a highly regarded business leader who was instrumental in shaping some of Sri Lanka’s leading corporates. In addition to being the first Sri Lankan Chairman of John Keells Holdings, and leading it through a period of rapid growth and diversification, he was also the founder Chairman of Brandix Lanka, which credits him with instilling best practices in board governance, discipline and direction. As a result of his contributions, Balendra has been recognised as the most effective business leader in Sri Lanka since independence by an LMD poll in the past.

EDUCATION
Royal College

HIGHLIGHTS
Awarded the Cavalier’s Cross of the Order of Merit of Poland in 2007
Awarded the title ‘Deshamanya’ in 1998
Named LMD’s Sri Lankan of the Year in 1998
A former Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce
A former Chairman of the Colombo Brokers’ Association
A former Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC)
A former Chairman of the Investment Committee of Aureos South Asia Fund
The founder President of the Sri Lanka Institute of Directors (SLID)
A former Deputy Chairman of the George Keyt Art Foundation
A former Trustee of the Duncan White Sports Foundation
A former Non-Executive Chairman of the South Asia Regional Fund of the Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC)
Served as Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Sri Lanka

Deshabandu Reggie Candappa

Deshabandu Reggie Candappa was a celebrated figure in Sri Lanka’s advertising industry, often referred to as the ‘godfather of the local ad industry’ owing to his contributions to its development. Beginning his career as an artist, a journalist and a photographer, he founded and helped build Grant McCann Erickson into a key player in the advertising industry. Over the years, numerous personalities learned the trade under Candappa, many of whom are leading players in the marketing profession today.

EDUCATION
St. Joseph’s College

PAST DIRECTORSHIPS
Grant McCann Erickson

HIGHLIGHTS
Conferred the Kalapathy award by the Ceylon Society of Arts in 1988
Awarded the title ‘Deshabandu’ in 1993
A past President of the Colombo Club
A former President of the Colombo Chetty Association of Sri Lanka (CCASL)
A former Patron of the George Keyt Association
Compiled a book on the history of the Colombo Chetties

Deshamanya Sohli Captain

Deshamanya Sohli Captain is a pioneer in Sri Lanka’s plastic sector and boasts over six decades of experience across various sectors. His entrepreneurial ventures include manufacturing products for international corporates and developing Polypak Secco into one of the largest plastic packaging solution providers in the country. Captain also has numerous investments in property, apparel, paints and surface coating among others, as well as in some of the country’s largest companies. Additionally, he engages in various charitable and social causes.

EDUCATION
Thomas’ College

PRESENT DIRECTORSHIPS
Polypak Secco
Equity Investments Lanka

HIGHLIGHTS
Awarded the title ‘Deshamanya’ in 2005
Honorary life member of the Colombo Club
Listed among the three Most Admired Leaders in Sri Lanka 2018 for his business accomplishments by the International Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka (ICC Sri Lanka)
Recognised as being among the richest Sri Lankans and major investors in the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) by various publications
Built and continues to fund the first cancer hospice in Maharagama

Chrisantha Cooray

Chrisantha Cooray was a renowned business leader with over 30 years of experience in trade, commerce, industry and finance. Over the 15 years he served as Chairman of Hatton National Bank, it grew into one of the largest financial services groups in the private sector, which has been attributed to his strong and committed leadership. Cooray is also said to have been the youngest Sri Lankan to be appointed a fellow member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) when he obtained the qualification in 1974.

EDUCATION
St. Joseph’s College
Aquinas College of Higher Studies

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Fellow member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
Member of the British Institute of Management
Fellow member of the Institute of Directors – UK (IoD)

PAST DIRECTORSHIPS
Browns Group
Hatton National Bank
HNB Assurance

Herbert Cooray

Herbert Cooray was widely respected as a visionary and pioneer of tourism in Sri Lanka. His contributions to the industry include establishing the Jetwing chain of hotels and specialised destination management services in an effort to share the experience of Sri Lankan hospitality with others – despite the challenges associated with the 26 year civil war. As a result of his leadership and commitment to high standards, Jetwing has grown to become a leading player in the local tourism industry.

EDUCATION
St. Benedict’s College
St. Joseph’s College
University of Ceylon

PAST DIRECTORSHIPS
Jetwing Hotels
Jetwing Travels

HIGHLIGHTS
Recognised for his contributions to the tourism industry at the Sri Lanka Tourism Golden Jubilee celebration in 2016
Founder of Jetwing Hotels and Jetwing Travels

Deshabandu Tilak De Zoysa

Deshabandu Tilak De Zoysa is a highly respected figure in corporate and social circles, having held senior positions in a number of Sri Lanka’s leading companies and industry associations. His experience spans several sectors in local and international organisations with many of the business houses he had led growing in prominence. Apart from his activities in the corporate sphere, De Zoysa has engaged in humanitarian efforts, being conferred the title ‘Deshabandu’ in recognition of his services to the country through various philanthropic projects.

EDUCATION
Royal College

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Fellow member of the Chartered Management Institute – UK (CMI)
Fellow member of the Plastics & Rubber Institute of Sri Lanka (PRISL)

PAST DIRECTORSHIPS
Associated Motorways

HIGHLIGHTS
Conferred the ‘Order of the Rising Sun – Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon’ by the Emperor of Japan
Awarded the title ‘Deshabandu’ in 2005
Recipient of LMD’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017
Honorary Consul for Croatia in Sri Lanka
Chairman of the council of HelpAge Sri Lanka
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Sasakawa Cultural Centre
Governor and a past President of the Colombo Young Men’s Buddhist Association (YMBA)
Serves on the Board of Trustees of OrphanCare
Advisor to the Al-Futtaim Group in Sri Lanka
A past Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce
A past Chairman of the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL)
A past Chairman of HelpAge International – UK
Served as a member of the Monetary Board of Sri Lanka

Deshamanya H. K. Dharmadasa

Deshamanya H. K. Dharmadasa was a pioneering entrepreneur who built an enterprise encompassing several fields through various changes in Sri Lanka’s business, and cultural and political spheres over the years; his journey began with a timber store in 1942. Also known as ‘Nawaloka Mudalali,’ Dharmadasa believed that his most notable achievement was embarking on a venture to save lives by estab-lishing the first private hospital of its kind in the country.

EDUCATION
Sulthanagoda Vidyalaya

PAST DIRECTORSHIPS
Nawaloka Group
Nawaloka Hospitals

HIGHLIGHTS
Awarded the title ‘Deshamanya’ in 1992
Inducted to the ‘Entrepreneur Hall of Fame’ at the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka’s 15^th Sri Lankan Entrepreneur of the Year awards
Founder of Nawaloka Hospitals and Nawaloka Group

W.T. Ellawala

T. Ellawala has held a number of key positions in leading corporates and industry bodies. A respected business leader, Ellawala’s influence has permeated the insurance, rubber and shipping sectors to name a few through his leadership of C. W. Mackie and Janashakthi Insurance – where he is said to have played an integral role in shaping the firm’s success – as well as associations such as the Colombo Rubber Traders’ Association and the Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council.

EDUCATION
Thomas’ College

PRESENT DIRECTORSHIPS
W. Mackie
Maersk Lanka
Ceylon Trading Company

PAST DIRECTORSHIPS
Brooke Bond Ceylon
Janashakthi Insurance

HIGHLIGHTS
Chairman of the Sri Lanka Society of Rubber Industry (SRI)
President and Trustee of the Singhalese Sports Club (SSC)
Honorary member of the Colombo Tea Traders’ Association (CTTA)
Honorary adviser for the Investment Fund for Developing Countries (IFU) in Denmark
A past Chairman of the Colombo Rubber Traders’ Association (CRTA)
A past Chairman of the Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council
A former Committee member of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce
A former adviser to the Ministry of Ports and Shipping
Served as a consultant on Sea Transport at UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in Bangkok

Gamini Fernando

Gamini Fernando has been described as a legend in the local hospitality sector – a leader who played a significant role in raising the profile of Sri Lankan hoteliers here and abroad. Although he was faced with challenges such as the 1997 Colombo World Trade Center bombing, his leadership helped position Hilton as a prominent brand in the Asia-Pacific region. Fernando is believed to have inspired those around him, training people to be better than himself while setting an example for others with his commitment and loyalty.

EDUCATION
St. Joseph’s College
New York Institute of Career Development (NYICD)

HIGHLIGHTS
The first Sri Lankan General Manager of Hilton Colombo

Deshamanya Merrill J. Fernando

Deshamanya Merrill J. Fernando is a renowned businessman, and an icon in the local and global tea industry. Often associated with his contribution to the local industry in the form of helping relaunch Ceylon Tea, he is the visionary behind the famed Dilmah brand. He is credited with creating a brand that is capable of competing on the international stage and has become a respected name both here and abroad. Fernando was a pioneer in adding value to tea at the point of origin combined with branding and marketing the golden brew.

EDUCATION
Maris Stella College | St. Joseph’s College | Massey University

PRESENT DIRECTORSHIPS
MJF Group | Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company
Printcare | Kahawatte Plantations
Resplendent Ceylon

PAST DIRECTORSHIPS
F. Jones & Co.

HIGHLIGHTS
Honoured with the FIRST Award for Responsible Capitalism 2016 at the Royal Automobile Club in London
An Oslo Business for Peace Honouree in 2015, which was conferred by the Award Committee of Nobel Laureates in Peace and Economics
Awarded the title ‘Deshamanya’ in 2019
Recipient of LMD’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011
Listed among LMD’s A List of Sri Lankan businesspeople
Recognised as an ‘Honoured Citizen’ by the Mayor of Colombo in 2016
Received a Lifetime Service Award at the National Tea Awards in 2017 for his services to the industry
Listed among the three Most Admired Leaders of Sri Lanka 2018 for social responsibility by the International Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka (ICC Sri Lanka)
Honoured by the World Association of Chefs’ Societies with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018
Awarded an honorary doctorate by Massey University in New Zealand in 2019
Founder and Chairman of MJF Group
Founder of MJF Charitable Foundation

Cyril Gardiner

Cyril Gardiner was a part of a 100-year-old Ceylonese and Sri Lankan history due to his association with one of the most notable hotels in the island – the famed Galle Face Hotel. As the descendant of Victor Vicarosso (who was one of its shareholders back in 1911), Gardiner continued his family’s legacy by becoming a director of the hotel in 1960. Thereafter, he became its chairman in 1965. Under his direction, the north wing of the hotel was refurbished with its display of timeless grandeur in mind. The fact that he encouraged guests not to smoke in the hotel’s bedrooms by offering lower rates as an incentive some 30 years ago personifies Gardiner’s disruptive spirit.

EDUCATION
St. Joseph’s College

PAST DIRECTORSHIPS
Autodrome
Cargills (Ceylon)
Gardiner Motors
Galle Face Hotel
Millers
Ceylon Theatres
Ceylon Inter-Continental
Ceylon Bulbs & Electricals
Development Finance Corporation of Sri Lanka

HIGHLIGHTS
Recognised for his contributions to The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) and the hospitality sector
A past President of THASL
Used the tag line ‘Help the Poor’ instead of his official seal in all official correspondence
Well known for his philanthropy and charitable contributions to HelpAge Sri Lanka
First Sri Lankan Director of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)

Deshamanya A.Y.S.Gnanam

Deshamanya A. Y. S. Gnanam began his career at a young age, selling scrap iron on the road, after which he began exporting it to India at the end of World War II. He then opened a hardware store – St. Anthony’s Hardware – with his enterprise expanding into trading with global brands. In the late 1960s, he ventured into manufacturing and identified opportunities in textiles. Gnanam’s persistence drove him to establish Tokyo Cement as his second largest public company, which was a pioneer in the construction industry in Sri Lanka. Although he was a keen student, he couldn’t continue his education beyond the age of nine. Yet, multiple educational institutions are named after him today, commemorating his legacy.

PAST DIRECTORSHIPS
St. Anthony’s Group
Tokyo Cement
Sascon Knitting
St. Anthony’s Solar
Capital City Farms
Rhino Roofing Products
Ceylon Synthetic Textile Mills
Asian Cotton Mills
Express Newspapers (Ceylon)

HIGHLIGHTS
Awarded the title ‘Vishwa Prasadini’ in 1996
Awarded the title ‘Deshamanya’ in 1994
Awarded the title ‘Deshabandu’ in 1986
The founder of St. Anthony’s Group
A charitable contributor to schools, hospitals, orphanages and the needy
A past Chairperson of the Domestic Garment Manufacturers Association (DGMA)
The founder of Ceylon Synthetic Textile Mills (Cyntex)
The founder of Asian Cotton Mills

Deshabandu Dr. Victor Hettigoda

Deshabandu Dr. Victor Hettigoda is renowned for the Hettigoda Group of Companies’ flagship brand Siddhalepa and is considered to be the ‘father of Ayurveda’ in Sri Lanka. He hails from a family of Ayurveda physicians whose practice spans over two centuries. His father passed on the secret formula for the Siddhalepa balm to him, and Hettigoda proved his entrepreneurial prowess by manufacturing and marketing the brand on a commercial scale from 1971 to transform the business into the diversified group it is today. He also authored the book Welandamen Diyunuweemata Maga, and holds numerous titles and accolades for his contributions to business and society.

EDUCATION
Rahula College

PRESENT DIRECTORSHIPS
Hettigoda Group of Companies

HIGHLIGHTS
Bestowed the title ‘Mahaweli Ran Diyawara’ by the Association of the United Engineers of the Mahaweli Authority in 1989
Recognised as the ‘Balm King’ by Asia Week in 1989
Awarded the ‘Vishva Prasadini’ honorary title by Vidyalankara Pirivena in 1996
Awarded the ‘Waidya Vidya Ratna Vibushana’ honorary title by Vidyalankara Pirivena in 1998
Awarded the title ‘Deshabandu’ in 1990
Recipient of LMD’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014
Recognised as one of the 50 Greatest Sri Lankans since Independence by LMD in 1998
Conferred the honorary award ‘Vishvakeerthi Manawa Hithawadi Deshamanya’ by Sri Jayewardenapura Gunasamaru Padanama in 2000
Conferred the title ‘Doctor of Literature’ by the University of Sri Jayewardenepura in 2017
Was a candidate at the 2005 presidential election

Deshabandu Ajit Jayaratne

Deshabandu Ajit Jayaratne is an accountant by profession and a businessperson who helmed a number of companies. He served as Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in Singapore for two and a half years – and said he believed that business oriented diplomatic missions are vital for the development of the country.

EDUCATION
Royal College
University of Southampton

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
Fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka)

PRESENT DIRECTORSHIPS
Innovest Investments | ACL Cables
Colombo Fort Land & Building
W. Mackie | Kotagala Plantations
KIA Motors | Overseas Realty (Ceylon)

PAST DIRECTORSHIPS
Associated Electrical Corporation
Ceylon Petroleum Corporation
Delmege Forsyth & Co.
DFCC Bank
Forbes & Walker
People’s Bank

HIGHLIGHTS
Awarded the title ‘Deshabandu’ in 1991
A former Chairman of Forbes & Walker Tea Brokers
A former Chairman of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE)
A former Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce
A former Chairman of the Finance Commission of Sri Lanka
Served as Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in Singapore

Deshabandu George Ondaatjie

Deshabandu George Ondaatjie was a leading hotelier and founder of the Mercantile Investments and Finance group of companies. With over 35 years of experience in financial services, tourism and trading, Ondaatjie was conferred the prestigious ‘Deshabandu’ title by the Government of Sri Lanka in 1994 for his contributions to these sectors. He headed the establishment of the Nilaveli Beach Hotels during the civil war, which was described as the first planned development on the east coast of Sri Lanka.

EDUCATION
St. Joseph’s College

PAST DIRECTORSHIPS
Mercantile Investments and Finance
Nuwara Eliya Hotels Company
Tangerine Beach Hotels
Royal Palms Beach Hotel
Nilaveli Beach Hotel

HIGHLIGHTS
Awarded the title ‘Deshabandu’ in 1994
Bestowed with the ‘Pioneer Award’ by the Presidential Awards for Travel and Tourism in 2008
Served on the managing committee of The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL)
A former President of THASL
A former Chairman of the Finance Houses Association of Sri Lanka (FHA)
A former Chairman and Director of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)
Featured in Who’s Who of Business in Asia as a prominent tycoon in the region
Received honorary life membership by the Ceylon Hotels School Graduates Association in 1996

Anthony Page

Anthony Page possesses over 45 years of management experience and has steered numerous companies in various fields of business. Page also held non-executive directorships in a number of companies including Royal Ceramics Lanka, Pan Asia Banking, Horana Plantations and more. He was also on the board of C. W. Mackie, Cargills Food Processors and Ceylon Theatres among a few others.

EDUCATION
St. Peter’s College
St. Joseph’s College

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka)
Fellow member of the Institute of Certified Management Accountants – Sri Lanka (CMA)

HIGHLIGHTS
A former council member of the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC)
Served on the board of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE)

Chandra Schaffter

Chandra Schaffter is the founder of Janashakthi Insurance and considered the ‘father of insurance’ in Sri Lanka – and his more than 60 years in the sector began in a clerical role. A head prefect and captain of the school cricket team, his passion for sports would lead him to secure the presidency of the Mercantile Cricket Association (MCA), and vice presidency of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). In the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami, his company reportedly made the highest payout among insurers in Sri Lanka.

EDUCATION
Thomas’ College

PAST DIRECTORSHIPS
Janashakthi Insurance
Eagle Insurance

HIGHLIGHTS
Recipient of LMD’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015
Honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award by Asia Insurance Industry Awards in 2012
A past President of the Insurance Association of Sri Lanka (IASL)
Represented Sri Lanka in both international cricket and hockey

Rajaratnam Senathi Rajah

Rajaratnam Senathi Rajah was a senior corporate lawyer and partner of the law firm Julius & Creasy. In addition, he has held chairmanships and directorships of a number of companies in the country. Senathi Rajah was considered to be a walking encyclopedia on corporate law and people who worked with him sought his advice and respected him for his intellectual contributions in many aspects of the legal profession.

EDUCATION
St. Benedict’s College

PAST DIRECTORSHIPS
Julius & Creasy
The Colombo Fort Land & Building
York Arcade Holdings
Capital Leasing Company
American Lloyd Travels
Guardian Asset Management
Colombo Fort Hotels
York Hotels (Kandy)
Colombo Fort Group Services
Corporate Holdings
Colombo Fort Investments
Colombo Investment Trust

HIGHLIGHTS
A past Chairman of the Colombo Fort Land & Building
A past Chairman of York Arcade Holdings
A former solicitor of England and Wales
A former attorney-at-law of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka

Ratna Sivaratnam

Ratna Sivaratnam was famed for his legendary career at Aitken Spence, a blue-chip company at the time of his appointment as a trainee executive in 1960 – he climbed to the very top of the corporate ladder during his illustrious career. Under his guidance, Aitken Spence forayed into tourism, and expanded to the construction of hotels and power generation in the Maldives. An ardent sports lover, Sivaratnam was a rugby and badminton captain in school. He was also on the boards of many companies in the capacity of a non-executive director. Known as a humble and generous personality, his nickname ‘Roti’ stuck with him since his school-days when Sivaratnam was asked what he had for breakfast and answered ‘roti’ while his classmates opted for Western food.

EDUCATION
Royal College

PAST DIRECTORSHIPS
Aitken Spence

HIGHLIGHTS
A former Chairman of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB)
A former Chairman of the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau
A Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) of the Ceylon Cadet Corps

Deshamanya Mineka Wickramasingha

Deshamanya Mineka Wickramasingha is the founder and former President of the CBL Group, and is renowned for launching brands such as Munchee. He is said to have secured over 50 percent of the local biscuit market and forayed into international markets too; today, the group exports a variety of products to more than 55 countries. In 1967, he created a protein enriched children’s biscuit, which was rolled out as a nationwide programme named CARE with the support of the Ministry of Education. He retired from his position in 2015 following 48 years of service but continues to be a mentor for the group. Many business and political leaders have valued his counsel because of his contribution to national policy making and outspoken views.

EDUCATION
St. Peter’s College

PAST DIRECTORSHIPS
CBL Group

HIGHLIGHTS
Awarded the title ‘Deshamanya’ in 2017
The founder and President Emeritus of the CBL Group
Recipient of LMD’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012

Chandra Wijenaike

Chandra Wijenaike founded the Kandy-based Central Finance Company in 1957 and developed it into a prominent non-banking financial institution with 55 branches across the island. His entrepreneurial capabilities and integrity were at the core of the company’s phenomenal growth. Wijenaike enrolled in university but dropped out because his parents were in poor health. Starting out as a plantation owner, he had a keen interest in automobiles and used to visit his friend’s motor showroom frequently. Listening to a friend’s predicament of travelling to and from Colombo to finance vehicles, the seeds of a new finance enterprise were sown in his mind. After leading the organisation for 50 years with single-minded dedication and indomitable will, he retired at the age of 79.

EDUCATION
Trinity College

PAST DIRECTORSHIPS
Central Finance Company
Hatton National Bank
Nations Trust Bank

HIGHLIGHTS
A former Chairman of the Planters’ Association of Ceylon (PA)
The founder of Central Finance Company

Mallory Wijesinghe

Mallory Wijesinghe was an engineer and entrepreneur and the founding chairman of the Ceylon Hotels Corporation. Commencing his career in the Public Works Department as a civil engineer, he transitioned to the tea trade and rose to being the first Sri Lankan director of Bartleet. Wijesinghe was a devoted Anglican, and the President of the Colombo Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) and Chairman of the Salvation Army Sri Lanka National Advisory Board. He was also the founder Chairman of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE).

EDUCATION
Royal College
King’s College London

PAST DIRECTORSHIPS
Bartleet Group
Ceylon Hotels Corporation

HIGHLIGHTS
Honoured as the ‘Officer in the Order of Orange-Nassau’ by Queen Beatrix in 1985
Made a ‘Knight of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem’ by Queen Elizabeth II
A former Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce
A former Chairman of the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC)
A former Chairman of the Colombo Brokers’ Association
A former President of the Federation of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Sri Lanka (FCCISL)
Author of The Economy of Sri Lanka 1948-75
Author of Sri Lanka’s Development Thrust 1977-80

Rienzie Wijetilleke

Rienzie Wijetilleke is a visionary whose banking career commenced at the Bank of Ceylon and spanned more than 50 years. He was the Managing Director of Hatton National Bank since 1988 and appointed to the board of DFCC Bank in 2001. Pioneering an innovative banking arm for the rural sector, Wijetilleke emphasised the importance of supporting the rural community and its SME sector due to the impact it has on the nation’s economic development. He believed in taking calculated risks and displayed self-confidence as a professional banker. His service to society extended to philanthropy – vis-à-vis rebuilding places of worship, and even championing the fight against narcotics through the Rainbow Foundation and the formation of the National Stroke Association of Sri Lanka.

EDUCATION
Wesley College

PRESENT DIRECTORSHIPS
Osara Lanka

PAST DIRECTORSHIPS
Hatton National Bank
HNB Assurance
Sithma Development
Sunshine Holdings
Nawaloka Hospitals
Ceylon Biscuits
Mahaweli Reach Hotels
HNB Securities
HNB Stockbrokers

HIGHLIGHTS
A former Chairman of the National Stroke Association of Sri Lanka
A former Chairman and Director of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE)
Recipient of LMD’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008

Neela Marikkar - August 20th, 2021 at 6:35 PM none Comment author #9897 on COVER STORY by LMD

A wonderful tribute to these wonderful and inspiring leaders who have made a difference in our nation. Thank you for recognizing and honoring my father Deshabandu Reggie Candappa for his contribution. He pioneered advertising in this country. As his family we are deeply touched. Neela Marikkar

COVER STORY