We experienced a rare and regretful occurrence, where three shakers and movers of the corporate world were called to rest in a short span of a week, leaving behind a remarkable, distinct and unsurpassable legacy in Sri Lanka’s business landscape.
I had close interactions with all three of them, particularly with Ken Balendra and Harry Jayawardena over the past three decades.
Ken was on the board of Chevron Lubricants Lanka PLC for 12 years when I was the MD/ CEO and with Harry J I have had a close business relationship over potential investments in the LP Gas industry in Sri Lanka and a few more new business opportunities in the energy sector.
Before I finally decided to take up a top position at Caltex Lubricants Lanka PLC, Harry J offered me a senior sales and marketing job at Lanka Milk Foods which I declined due to obvious reasons and he then fell out with me for a few years but soon became a close business associate.
I had the good fortune of being seated right next to him to receive the Business Today Top 10 award – 2001 at the President’s House when Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga was the Executive President.
The words of appreciation he offered me very generously still lingers in my mind as if it were just yesterday.
Harry J was instrumental in acquiring and expanding several state-privatised enterprises, such as the Distilleries Corporation, Ceylon Milk Foods and Balangoda Plantations, transforming them into thriving businesses to add net value to Sri Lanka’s economy.
Leadership
Under his leadership, the Stassen Group flourished across diverse sectors, including exports, food production, agriculture, hospitality, logistics and finance to name a few.
Harry J had also served as the Chairman of the Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka and Aitken Spence, the first Sri Lankan companies ever to be listed on the Forbes List of best managed companies outside the USA.
He was the chairman of Melstacorp PLC and served as the Honorary Consul General for Denmark in Sri Lanka and was awarded the Knight’s Cross of Dannebrog by Queen Margrethe II for his outstanding contributions to Danish art, science, and commerce.
The gut and the grit he had and the tough position he took in respect of Government policies were fearlessly expressed in front of successive Presidents of the country which I have personally witnessed attending meetings with him. He always spoke for the country and not for his businesses.
Ken had humble beginnings and lived a humble life even after reaching the elite league. Born in Jaffna, bred in Kollupitiya, Ken was a simple man with a happy smile all the time. A very loving and respectful person who did what he thought was right, who worked fearlessly, worked hard and who cared about the people he worked with.
In his school days at Royal College, Ken was not only an outstanding rugby player but also a member of the Stubbs Shield-winning Royal College boxing team of 1958.
Being appointed as the first Sri Lankan Chairman of John Keells was the turning point that changed his life. He became the first Chairman after the white gentlemen. The only job he applied for was John Keells and he succeeded. From there he rose with superlative performances through hard work and the values that he adopted and lived by. Everything else that happened was in keeping with these values.
Heads of successive Governments held him in high demand for top most leadership positions in public enterprise. He was the non-executive chairman of the Bank of Ceylon, the Exchange Commission and the Insurance Board of Sri Lanka. He worked without receiving a single penny as salary.
Punctuality
Punctuality was his top mantra and he advocated punctuality as the most fundamental trait of a respected leader. He believed, being late for a meeting meant that one was wasting other people’s time and a lack of respect for those who are punctual.
During my tenure as the MD/CEO, Ken used to come for Chevron Lubricants Lanka PLC, AGMs at least half an hour before the scheduled start to greet and interact with shareholders of the company. He was so humble to ‘sir’ every single shareholder present at the event being responsible as a director to safeguard and sustain the share value of the minority shareholders. He is probably the only top corporate leader of our time to genuinely do this. He was my informal mentor and greatest motivator. He used just one line to inspire me – “Kishu you can do better” and that line was like a thousand words of encouragement.
We travelled to Singapore regularly for Board meetings together which was an absolute treat. Very simple philosophies he shared and advice given 33,000 feet above sea level, drawing examples from his own journey which were uniquely different and practical. I emulated most of the attributes to improve myself. His contribution to make Chevron, Sri Lanka’s most profitable company and the best dividend payer in the market was significant. The stance he took and the role he played to convince Chevron principals on the re-location of the manufacturing plant as against the other option of finished goods importation when the leased plant agreement expired made Chevron such a strong competitor despite further market liberalisation even to date.
I will remember Ken Balendra’s legacy as a leader, mentor and advocate for good governance economic growth of the country with a deep sense of gratitude till I shut my eyes – such is the positive impact he made on my life.
Modesty
Hemaka de Alwis, Chairman and Managing Director of Fairway Holdings was unassuming and modest. Whenever I met him at corporate events, I fathomed his drive and passion to excel in the chosen fields. He was an astute businessman who was known to create opportunities while ensuring that any venture is in line with his ethos.
A lawyer by profession, he decided to become an entrepreneur to positively impact the community and the economy. Fairway Holdings at one time was the market leader by far in property development and had many successful projects under its name. A sector that was concentrated in Colombo was expanded to other areas, changing the landscape to help modern and luxury living.
His thinking was different and he told me once that people should always keep an open mind and do good to lead a happy life by making other people happy.
These giants were quite different to the current bunch of entrepreneurs – never sought attention or publicity for who they were and for their victories. They were rarely present at national level events unless circumstances forced them.
Thank you sincerely and Rest In Peace, Ken, Harry J and Hemaka. Your dramatic demise will be felt for decades to come. You – the trio undoubtedly are worthy of emulation by young corporate leaders who aspire to build successful business conglomerates that can successfully compete against the best in the world to achieve economic renaissance for all Sri-Lankans to benefit.
– Dr Kishu Gomes
