February 03, Colombo (LNW): Deshamanya Harry Jayawardena, one of Sri Lanka’s most influential industrialists, has passed away at the age of 82.
Known for his far-reaching business ventures and significant impact on the country’s economy, Jayawardena was a prominent figure in both the corporate and diplomatic spheres.
Born Don Harold Stassen Jayawardena, he was widely recognised for his leadership of Melstacorp PLC, a diversified conglomerate with interests in multiple sectors.
Jayawardena’s business acumen earned him a place among Sri Lanka’s wealthiest individuals, with Forbes ranking him among the country’s top billionaires.
Beyond his business achievements, Jayawardena also served as the Honorary Consul General for Denmark in Sri Lanka, further underlining his status as a key player in fostering international relations.
His leadership extended to several other prestigious companies, including the Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka and Aitken Spence, both of which were trailblazers in the Sri Lankan corporate world.
These two companies were notably the first from Sri Lanka to feature in Forbes’ list of the best-managed businesses outside of the United States.
