Lalith Kotelawala

Deshmanya Deshabandu[1] 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.[2] He was listed in the 2007 Sri Lanka Richest List.[3] He was remanded for the misappropriation of 26 billion rupees of investments from the failed Golden Key Credit Card Company .[4][5][6]

Lalith Kotelawala
Born
Jeewaka Lalith Bhupendra Kotelawala

(1938-10-29)29 October 1938
Colombo, British Ceylon
Died21 October 2023(2023-10-21) (aged 84)
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Other namesLalith Kotelawala
Alma materRoyal College Colombo
TitleDeshamanya
Deshabandu
SpouseSicille Kotelawala
Parent(s)Justin Kotelawala, Millicent Kotelawala
RelativesJohn Kotelawala
Sam Peter Christopher Fernando

Early life and education

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.[7] He was the nephew of Sir John Kotelawala, the third prime minister of Ceylon.[8]

Career

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.[9] He also founded a peace initiative in Sri Lanka, three years after being wounded in a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam attack in 1996.[10]

Personal life and death

Lalith was married to Sicille Kotelawala (née Fernando), the daughter of Sam Peter Christopher Fernando.[11]

Lalith Kotelawala died in Colombo on 21 October 2023, at the age of 84.[12]

Awards and honours

References
  1. Lalith Kotelawela bares his heart
  2. admin (25 May 2015). "Milestones". www.seylan.lk. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  3. News Image 32095 - Richest People in Sri Lanka - 2008
  4. Swindlers list
  5. Dilemma of depositors
  6. Around The World With ‘Ceylinco’ Kotelawala
  7. Lalith Kotelawela to celebrate 69th birthday tomorrow
  8. The saga of the Kotelawala family
  9. Business with philanthropy - Dr Lalith Kotelawala Sri Lankan Times - 13 November 2006
  10. Colombo man courts death for partnership with peace Indian Express - 15 August 1999
  11. Lalith Kotelawela to celebrate 69th birthday tomorrow
  12. Businessman Lalith Kotelawala passes away at 84
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