Most admired leaders of Sri Lanka 2021

The Most Admired Leaders of Sri Lanka awards honour outstanding Sri Lankans who have excelled in their respective fields. The five people selected this time and one a posthumous award, celebrate the life and work of outstanding people, driven by a powerful sense of purpose both in their individual lives and in relation to the cause of their human fellows.

These are people who have demonstrated courage, tenacity, and achieved outstanding results consistently, over many years. Despite being challenged right to the edge they have pursued their goals with unrelenting energy and passion. Also exercising sound judgment in the action needed to realize their vision.

The awards were made under five categories - Media, the Financial Sector, Women Leadership, Business Accomplishments and Entrepreneurship.

Media -

A posthumous award to the late Rajendram Rajamahendran, Chairman Capital Maharaja Group. Aw a rd “Fo r outstanding contribution in the independent media industry”.

Financial Sector - Rohini Nanayakkara

Aw a rd “Fo r O u t s t a n d i n g contribution to the Financial Sector”

Women Leadership - Shiromal Cooray

Award “For an outstanding Women Business Leader in the Hospitality and Travel Industry” Cooray is the Chairperson and Managing Director of Jetwing Travels ( Private) Limited – Chairperson of Jetwing Hotels Limited,

Business Accomplishment - Sumal Perera

Award “For Innovation and promoting cutting edge business practices in the Construction Industry”. Perera is Founder Chairman of Access Group Companies. He is a Fellow Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants – UK.

Entrepreneurship - Ashok Pathirage, Chairman Soflogic Group of Companies

Award “For bold investments and revolutionizing the retail industry”

Pathirage, manages over 50 companies providing employment to more than 11,000.

The Chief Guest at the awards ceremony was the Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay, whilst Guest of Honour was Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake with Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Chairman Vish Govindasamy as special guest.