Sri Lanka Loses Two Business Titans on the Same Day

Sri Lanka has lost two of its most influential business leaders, Harry Jayawardena and Ken Balendra, who both passed away on the same day.

Harry Jayawardena, one of Sri Lanka’s wealthiest and most prominent industrialists, has died at the age of 82. Renowned for his business acumen, Jayawardena was a key shareholder, board member, and chairman of several leading companies, including Distilleries Company, Aitken Spence, Lanka Milk Foods, Melstacorp, Balangoda Plantations, Browns Beach Hotels, HNB Bank, and DFCC Bank. His leadership played a crucial role in shaping Sri Lanka’s corporate sector.

Ken Balendra, the first Sri Lankan chairman of the John Keells Group, passed away at the age of 85. A towering figure in the business world, Balendra led John Keells Group to new heights during his tenure, overseeing all its subsidiaries. He also held top positions in other leading corporations, including Ceylon Tobacco Company, Brandix, and Union Assurance. From 1998 to 2000, he served as Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, further solidifying his legacy in the country’s corporate landscape.

The passing of these two iconic figures marks the end of an era in Sri Lanka’s business world, leaving behind a legacy of innovation, leadership, and economic growth.