Deshmanya Jeewaka Lalith Bhupendra Kotelawala (29 October 1938 – 21 October 2023) was a Sri Lankan businessman, who was the chairman of Ceylinco Consolidated and also was the founding chairman of Seylan Bank.[1] He was listed in the 2007 Sri Lanka Richest List.[2] He was remanded for the misappropriation of 26 billion rupees of investments from the failed Golden Key Credit Card Company .[3][4][5]
Lalith Kotelawala | |
|---|---|
| Born | Jeewaka Lalith Bhupendra Kotelawala 29 October 1938 |
| Died | 21 October 2023 (aged 84) Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Other names | Lalith Kotelawala |
| Alma mater | Royal College Colombo |
| Title | Deshamanya |
| Spouse | Sicille Kotelawala |
| Parent(s) | Justin Kotelawala, Millicent Kotelawala |
| Relatives | John Kotelawala Sam Peter Christopher Fernando |
Early life and education edit
Lalith Kotelawala was born to Senator Justin Kotelawala, a Ceylonese politician and businessman, and Millicent Kotelawala nee de Silva, daughter of Sir Arthur Marcelles de Silva, a leading surgeon. He was educated at Royal College, Colombo and studied chartered accountancy in the UK.[6] He was the nephew of Sir John Kotelawala, the third prime minister of Ceylon.[7]
Career edit
Taking over Ceylinco Consolidated from his father in the 1960s, Kotelawala expanded the group into new fields including banking, non-banking finance, investment banking, housing and property development, travel and leisure, communication and information technology, education and healthcare and microfinance.[8] He also founded a peace initiative in Sri Lanka, three years after being wounded in a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam attack in 1996.[9][10]
Personal life and death edit
Lalith was married to Sicille Kotelawala (née Fernando), the daughter of Sam Peter Christopher Fernando.[6]
Lalith Kotelawala died in Colombo on 21 October 2023, at the age of 84.[11]
Awards and honours edit
- Kotelawala was awarded an honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree by the University of Sri Jayewardenepura
- The title Deshmanya by the Government of Sri Lanka in 1994
- The title Deshabandu by the Government of Sri Lanka in 1991
- Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute
- Honorary fellow of the Institute of Bankers
References edit
- ^ admin (25 May 2015). "Milestones". www.seylan.lk. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
- ^ News Image 32095 - Richest People in Sri Lanka - 2008
- ^ "Swindlers list". Archived from the original on 17 August 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2009.
- ^ Dilemma of depositors
- ^ "Around The World With 'Ceylinco' Kotelawala". Archived from the original on 16 June 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
- ^ a b Lalith Kotelawela to celebrate 69th birthday tomorrow
- ^ The saga of the Kotelawala family
- ^ Business with philanthropy - Dr Lalith Kotelawala Sri Lankan Times - 13 November 2006
- ^ Colombo man courts death for partnership with peace Indian Express - 15 August 1999
- ^ Lalith Kotelawela bares his heart
- ^ Businessman Lalith Kotelawala passes away at 84