Business tycoon Harry Jayawardena passes away at 82

Prominent business personality Harry Jayawardena passed away yesterday at the age of 82.
Jayawardena was the chairman of Aitken Spence, Melstacorp, and Distilleries Corporation of Sri Lanka, and served as the Honorary Consul General for Denmark in Sri Lanka. 
Recognised as one of the wealthiest individuals in the country, he played a pivotal role in shaping Sri Lanka’s corporate landscape.
He began his career in the tea department at the state-owned State Trading Corporation (Consolidated Exports), also known as Consolexpo Ltd, after a stint at a British company. He later founded Stassens and went on to acquire significant stakes in several major companies.

In multiple stock market filings, the boards of companies led by Jayawardena acknowledged his “indelible and unparalleled legacy,” noting that his visionary leadership as chairman not only steered the companies to unprecedented achievements but also contributed significantly to the growth and development of the nation’s corporate landscape.
“As a distinguished leader of several prominent conglomerates, Jayawardena’s stewardship and strategic foresight have left an enduring mark on the business community and the broader economic fabric of the country,” they said.
His absence will be “keenly felt across all sectors where his guidance and wisdom were instrumental in navigating complex challenges and achieving remarkable success,” they added.
Jayawardena was awarded the Knight’s Cross of Dannebrog by Queen Margrethe II of Denmark for his contributions to Danish arts, sciences and business. He was also listed by Forbes as one of the richest individuals in Sri Lanka.