Harry’s son takes over at Melstacorp and Distilleries; daughter Stasshani at Spence

Saturday, 8 February 2025 02:10 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Following the demise of business tycoon Harry Jayawardena, his son Hasitha has been appointed Chairman of investment holding company Melstacorp PLC and younger daughter Stasshani Chairperson of diversified blue-chip Aitken Spence PLC.

D. Hasitha S. Jayawardena was also appointed Chairman of Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka PLC and Balangoda and Madulsima Plantations companies.

Hasitha has vast experience in the tea trade, including agriculture, production, trading, and export.

He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration (Hons) from the University of Kent in the United Kingdom. He has over 12 years of experience in the management of companies under the guidance of his late father D.H.S. Jayawardena, in various diversified fields in the Group. He has been managing and providing strategic direction to the plantation sector and leisure sector of Melstacorp Group.Stasshani was previously serving as Joint Deputy Chairperson and Joint Managing Director at Aitken Spence and was the first female and youngest Board member. She was also appointed Chairperson of Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings PLC and Browns Beach Hotels PLC and Deputy Chairperson of Lanka Milk Foods (CWE) PLC, and continues as Director of Melstacorp PLC and Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka PLC.

She is a graduate of St. James’ and Lucie Clayton College and Keele University in the United Kingdom, Emeritus Institute of Management, Singapore, and is an Associate Alumni of the University of Cambridge (Judge Business School), United Kingdom. She was the youngest intern to work under US Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and former US President Bill Clinton in 2003.

Stasshani has over 15 years of experience in the management of companies under the guidance of her late father D.H.S. Jayawardena. She has been managing and providing strategic direction to Aitken Spence Group companies, including the leisure sector, and carries with her a wealth of knowledge and experience which is imperative for the continuous growth of the Aitken Spence Group of Companies adhering to the vision of her late father.

She is also a Director of Melstacorp PLC, Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka PLC, and Lanka Milk Foods (CWE) PLC.

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