LMD recently recognised 50 Sri Lankan business people who continue to drive the nation's engine of growth. 2021 continued to be an arduous year with unprecedented challenges and obstacles due to the COVID-19 pandemic. JAT was proud and honoured that its Founder and Managing Director, Aelian Gunawardene has been recognised as one such business tycoon that continued to display strong grit and resilience within the private sector in an effort to help the Sri Lankan economy get back on track.
Amid periodic lockdowns and economic disruptions in the country, under the visionary leadership of Mr Gunawardene, after a 28-year successful run in Sri Lanka and across South Asia, JAT Holdings was listed in the Colombo Stock Exchange in mid-2021. The company also witnessed the best first half in the history of the company, maintained the ICRA Moody A+ status in recognition of the company’s financial strength, stability and brand reputation.
In addition to the current listing, Aelian Gunawardene was also included in the A-List of 2020 and was also conferred the Platinum award for the 22nd Sri Lankan Entrepreneur of the year by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL), in 2017. Furthermore, Aelian Gunawardene was one of 23 elite businesspersons amongst the Annual list of Businesspeople of The Year (BOTY) in 2017. Moreover, he has been the inspiration and driving force behind the success and transformation of JAT Holdings PLC into the leading conglomerate and employer brand of choice that JAT is today.
The 2021 hall of fame, LMD showcases 50 leaders from among the best in Sri Lanka’s corporate and professional communities. LMD’s collective think tank works on the basis of nominating those who helm the nation’s best in class business houses for financial performance (with the LMD 100 being a key point of reference), corporate respect (LMD’s Most Respected rankings come into play here) and branding successes (from our Brands Annual, which is compiled in collaboration with Brand Finance). Other dimensions including entrepreneurship, the spirit of innovation, major accolades in the recent past and all else that make for inspiring leadership are also taken into consideration in compiling the A-List each year.
For more details visit: www.lmd.lk/cover-story-22