Mapping corporate respect through the lens of Sri Lanka’s business leaders
Economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and rapidly evolving geopolitical shenanigans have compelled businesses to respond to risks that extend far beyond Sri Lanka’s borders. For local organisations, these external pressures are compounded by subdued consumer demand, rising operating costs and the need to rebuild confidence following years of economic instability.
Yet, many businesses have demonstrated remarkable resilience by adapting their strategies, strengthening operations and identifying new avenues for growth.
In such a demanding environment, corporate reputation has assumed even greater importance, reflecting not only financial performance but also leadership, integrity, adaptability and purpose.
Against this backdrop, LMD’s 22nd edition of Most Respected recognises organisations that continue to command the confidence of their corporate peers. The latest rankings span diversified conglomerates, financial institutions, apparel powerhouses, consumer goods companies and telecom service providers among others.
The inclusion of 29 newcomers also points to an increasingly broad and competitive corporate landscape.
At the head of the table is John Keells Holdings (JKH), securing the No. 1 position for the 21st time in the 22 year history of the Most Respected rankings.
With operations spanning seven sectors, JKH has in recent years committed substantial capital to projects intended to support its next phase of expansion.
In describing its performance for financial year 2025/26, the group noted that its portfolio reached an important turning point as major investments began contributing to earnings and the focus shifted from capital deployment towards cash generation.
Recurring earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBTDA) rose by 71 percent to over Rs. 78 billion in 2025/26, led by contributions from the retail, transportation and leisure sectors.
JKH’s leadership was also evident in PepperCube Consultants’ 2026 peer review, which assesses companies against 16 attributes.
It leads in 14 distinct categories: aspirational workplace, business expansion, business innovation, corporate culture, corporate dynamism, corporate sustainability, crisis management, ethical outlook, financial performance, honesty and integrity, leadership profile, national perspective, strategic vision and tax compliance.
JKH’s steadfast corporate reputation was also reflected in the 18th annual edition of LMD’s Brands Annual, where it helmed the corporate brands rankings.
Hayleys remains in second place for a third successive year, extending its record as one of the most consistently admired business houses in the country. Since the inception of the Most Respected rankings, the export oriented conglomerate has occupied the No. 2 position on seven occasions.
In this year’s attributes review, Hayleys ranks second for business expansion, corporate culture, corporate dynamism, corporate sustainability, crisis management, honesty and integrity, leadership profile, national perspective and strategic vision.
Moreover, its standing in the rankings coincides with a record 2025/26 financial year. Revenue increased by 19 percent year on year to in excess of Rs. 585 billion – the highest in the group’s history – while profit before tax rose by four percent to over 38 billion rupees.
Based on the LMD 100 rankings, Hayleys has been Sri Lanka’s leading listed company in the last two years; it was also placed second in the corporate brands pecking order featuring LMD readers’ Most Loved Brands rankings for 2026.
MAS Holdings advances to third place, moving up one place from the previous year. The apparel giant continues to be recognised for its emphasis on high product standards and people practices, leading the apparel industry in the quality consciousness and employee wellbeing attributes.
One of the most notable movements within the upper ranks of the rankings comes from Unilever Sri Lanka, which climbs five places from No. 9 to fourth place. The fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) company produces 96 percent of its portfolio locally, and oversees 30 market leading brands across the home care, personal care and nutrition categories.
Unilever Sri Lanka’s reputation among consumers was also evident in Brands Annual 2026, where it secured third place in the corporate brands rankings.
Commercial Bank of Ceylon (ComBank) moves down two places to occupy fifth
position.
Despite the fall, ComBank continues its longstanding presence among the country’s most respected entities, having remained within the top five since 2005. For the year ended 31 December 2025, the bank reported a gross income of close to Rs. 355 billion.
In the attributes assessment, ComBank is placed second for financial performance and tax compliance, while taking third position for honesty and integrity, and strategic
vision.
Dialog Axiata slips one place to sixth but retains recognition for its capacity to innovate, ranking second under the business
innovation attribute.
The group continues to generate growth across mobile, fixed telecommunications, digital pay television and international services, while broadening its presence in digital, financial and information technology services.
For the year ended 31 December 2025, Dialog reported a net profit after tax of Rs. 20.8 billion – an increase of 67 percent year on year – supported by stronger core revenue and cost rescaling initiatives.
Hemas Holdings records another notable improvement, rising from 10th place to
seventh in the 2026 rankings.
The group reported a record profit of Rs. 9.3 billion in 2025/26, representing a year-on-year spike of 11 percent. Revenue increased by eight percent to in excess of 127 billion rupees with each of its three principal business units recording growth on both an annual and a quarterly basis.
Sampath Bank moves down one place to eighth and becomes the second financial institution represented among the top 10. In this year’s peer review, the bank ranked third for its ethical outlook.
Its reputation has been built on customer focussed solutions, integration of technology and professional service standards. The group delivered its strongest financial results to date, recording a profit before tax of Rs. 53 billion and 32.6 billion rupees in post-tax profits in calendar year 2025 – these figures represent respective increases of eight and 13 percent year on year.
Hatton National Bank (HNB) enters the top 10 in ninth place, adding a third banking institution to this year’s leading group of Most Respected entities.
For the year ended 31 December 2025, the group reported a post-tax profit of 49.8 billion rupees – an increase of more than 11 percent from the previous year. At a bank level, its profit after tax amounted to Rs. 45.4 billion, reflecting growth of nearly 10 percent.
Completing the top 10 is Aitken Spence, which moves down from eighth place in the previous edition.
The diversified group, which maintains operations across several regional markets, recorded a profit before tax of Rs. 12.8 billion for the year ended 31 March 2026. Its performance reflected the breadth of its portfolio, the ability of its businesses to
adjust to changing conditions, and the contribution of its teams across sectors and
geographies.
While the organisations in this year’s Most Respected rankings differ widely in scale and sector, their inclusion reflects a shared ability to preserve stakeholder confidence, respond effectively to disruptions and remain relevant in a rapidly changing business environment.
