By: Staff Writer
November 04, Colombo (LNW): In a strong display of corporate commitment to balanced national growth, East India Holdings, parent company of International Distillers Ltd. (IDL), has joined hands with The Management Club to back the upcoming Northern Economic Summit 2026 in Jaffna marking a pivotal moment in the private sector’s engagement with regional development.
Speaking at a media briefing in Colombo, IDL Chief Executive Officer Janek Jayasekara said the initiative goes beyond conventional corporate sponsorship. It reflects a deeper belief that Sri Lanka’s prosperity depends on empowering all regions equally, particularly the historically underdeveloped Northern Province.
Chairman and Managing Director Ravimohan Tissanayagam’s personal connection to the region further strengthens this vision. Descended from the historic Tissanayagam–Barr Kumarakulasinghe family of Jaffna, Tissanayagam’s heritage reinforces his long-held conviction that national progress must be inclusive.
His late wife, Rukmini Tissanayagam a great-granddaughter of national icons Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam and Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan inspired the creation of the Rukmini Tissanayagam Trust, which today promotes education, empowerment, and community welfare across Sri Lanka.
Jayasekara described the Northern Province as standing at a “turning point of opportunity” — a region of resilience, talent, and promise. With infrastructure upgrades such as the Kankesanthurai Port, Palaly Airport, and the Yarl IT Hub, the North is positioned to become a vibrant hub for trade, technology, and innovation. East India Holdings envisions partnerships that create jobs, nurture women-led enterprises, and encourage environmentally sustainable, culturally rooted growth.
He described the Northern Economic Summit as more than a business forum — “a call to action” to connect vision with responsibility, linking local talent to global opportunities. “The private sector must lead not only with investment and innovation, but with empathy and genuine engagement,” Jayasekara said.
Meanwhile, Japan has deepened its commitment to post-conflict recovery in the North. The Government of Japan has granted $477,185 (approximately Rs. 144 million) to the humanitarian demining agency SHARP to clear over 180,000 square metres of land, enabling around 600 people to resettle and 1,500 others to restart livelihoods.
Japanese Ambassador Akio Isomata reaffirmed Tokyo’s long-standing partnership in reconciliation and regional development, highlighting the initiative as key to socio-economic healing in conflict-affected areas.
As Sri Lanka prepares for the Northern Economic Summit 2026, collaboration between the private sector, development partners, and local communities signals renewed hope. East India Holdings’ vision uniting heritage with progress, and enterprise with empathy may well define a new model for inclusive national growth rooted in reconciliation and shared prosperity.
