By: Staff Writer
February 05, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s corporate world is mourning the loss of two distinguished business leaders, Ken Balendra (85) and Harry Jayawardena (82), both of whom passed away yesterday after brief illnesses.
Their untimely demise on the same day has sent shockwaves across the country, with thousands paying tribute to their immense contributions to the national economy. Both were widely regarded as self-made legends who left an indelible mark on the private sector, serving as role models for aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals alike.
Ken Balendra, a dynamic corporate figure, held numerous leadership roles in Sri Lanka and beyond. He was the first Sri Lankan Chairman of John Keells Holdings Ltd., the nation’s largest conglomerate.
Affectionately known as ‘Ken’ to some and ‘Bala’ to others, he excelled as a schoolboy rugby player at Royal College Colombo, later coaching Royal Rugby team and playing for CR & FC club.
His journey began in 1963 as a planter at Finlays, a well-established tea and horticultural trading company. In 1969, he joined John Keells Holdings—then known as John Keells Thompson White Ltd.—where his expertise as a tea broker led to his appointment as Director in 1974.
He eventually became Chairman in 1990, the first Sri Lankan to hold the position, and played a pivotal role in transforming the company from a colonial-era tea broker into the country’s most diversified corporate giant. Under his leadership, John Keells experienced unprecedented growth and expansion.
Beyond John Keells, Balendra served as Chairman of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, the Bank of Ceylon, the Ceylon Tobacco Company, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Insurance Board of Sri Lanka. I
n 2000, he was named the inaugural President of the Sri Lanka Institute of Directors. His contributions were recognized with the national honor of ‘Deshamanya’ in 1998, and he was later appointed Honorary Consul General of Poland in Sri Lanka.
He also received the prestigious Cavaliers Cross of the Order of Merit of Poland in 2007 and was named ‘Sri Lankan of the Year’ in 1998. In 2003, he was voted Sri Lanka’s Most Effective Business Leader since independence.
Harry Jayawardena, another towering figure in Sri Lanka’s business community, was the Founder Director and Chairman/Managing Director of the Stassen Group of Companies.
Known for his astute business acumen, he played a crucial role in the growth of numerous enterprises. He took the helm as Chairman of the Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka in 2006, after serving as its Managing Director for nearly two decades.
His leadership extended to various industries, including Melstacorp PLC, Aitken Spence PLC, Lanka Milk Foods (CWE) PLC, and Lanka Bell, among others.
Jayawardena also held key positions outside the private sector, including being a former Director of Hatton National Bank PLC and serving as Chairman of both the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and SriLankan Airlines.
His international contributions were recognized when he was appointed Honorary Consul for Denmark and awarded the prestigious ‘Knight’s Cross of Dannebrog’ by Queen Margrethe II of Denmark. In 2005, he was honored with the national title of ‘Deshamanya’ for his outstanding services to Sri Lanka.
The passing of these two esteemed business leaders represents a significant loss to Sri Lanka’s economy and corporate sector.
Their visionary leadership, strategic decision-making, and unwavering commitment to national development helped shape the country’s business landscape for decades.
Their absence leaves a void that will be difficult to fill, and their contributions will be remembered for generations to come.
The nation mourns the loss of two trailblazers who not only built thriving enterprises but also inspired countless individuals to strive for excellence in business and beyond.
