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Renowned Sri Lankan businessman Harry Jayawardena, a towering figure in the country’s corporate sector, passed away at the age of 82. Born on 17 August 1942 in Ja-Ela, Sri Lanka, Jayawardena was a visionary industrialist whose leadership shaped several prominent businesses across Sri Lanka and internationally.
Jayawardena began his career in the tea industry as a trader for a British-owned firm in Colombo before making significant strides in Sri Lanka’s state-run enterprises. He joined the government-owned State Trading Corporation, where he headed the Tea Department, playing a pivotal role in controlling the country’s tea exports in the 1970s under Prime Minister Sirima Bandaranaike’s administration.
In 1977, Jayawardena transitioned to the private sector, founding Stassen Exports Limited to promote the export of Ceylon Tea. Over the years, his business ventures expanded into a range of industries, including banking, plantations, hospitality, and distilleries. He became a key shareholder in Hatton National Bank in 1988 and later gained controlling interest in the Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka (DCSL) in 1992, which marked a defining moment in his career. Under his chairmanship, DCSL was ranked as the top company in Sri Lanka by Business Today in 2007.
Spectrum of Companies
Throughout his career, Jayawardena’s influence extended across a broad spectrum of companies. He was the Chairman of Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka, Lanka Milk Foods, Madulsima Plantations, Balangoda Plantations, Browns Beach Hotels, Aitken Spence, and Melstacorp. He also had a strong presence in various other publicly traded companies and private enterprises.
Recognized globally for his leadership, Jayawardena earned prestigious accolades, including the Deshamanya title in 2005 and the Knight of the Order of Dannebrog in 2010, awarded by Queen Margrethe II of Denmark for his contribution to strengthening bilateral ties between Sri Lanka and Denmark.
Jayawardena also held significant honorary roles, including Senior Adviser for International Trade and Foreign Investments to President Chandrika Kumaratunga and Chairman of SriLankan Airlines. His legacy, however, is not without controversy, including allegations during his tenure with the Distilleries Company. Despite this, he remained an influential figure in Sri Lanka’s economic landscape.
Harry Jayawardena’s passing marks the end of an era in Sri Lanka’s business world. His contributions to the country’s industry, economy, and international relations will continue to be remembered as a testament to his vision, determination, and leadership.
