Stasshani Jayawardena, daughter of the late business magnate Deshamanya D. H. S. Jayawardena, has been appointed as the new Chairman of Aitken Spence PLC, a leading Sri Lankan conglomerate. The announcement was made today to the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE).
With over 15 years of strategic leadership experience within the Aitken Spence Group, Ms. Jayawardena has been instrumental in managing and directing various sectors, particularly in leisure. She has held significant positions across multiple listed companies, including Melstacorp PLC, Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka PLC, Lanka Milk Foods (CWE) PLC, and Browns Beach Hotels PLC.
A graduate of St. James’ & Lucie Clayton College and Keele University in the United Kingdom, Ms. Jayawardena furthered her education at the Emeritus Institute of Management in Singapore. Notably, in 2003, she became the youngest intern to work under then U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and former U.S. President Bill Clinton. She also served as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador for the EY NextGen Club from 2017 to 2019.
In its official statement, Aitken Spence highlighted that Ms. Jayawardena’s leadership will be crucial in adhering to the vision of her late father, ensuring sustained growth and strategic innovation across its diverse business operations.
Her appointment marks a new chapter for Aitken Spence, as it continues to build on its legacy of excellence, resilience, and innovation in Sri Lanka’s corporate landscape.
