JAT Holdings sponsors gala SLIA Awards Night 2018

Aelian Gunawardene sharing JAT’s journey with the gathering

Aelian and Joyce Gunawardene at the event

One of Sri Lanka’s fastest growing diversified conglomerates JAT Holdings was recently the proud sponsor of the prestigious Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (SLIA) Awards Night 2018. The gala awards ceremony was held at the Hilton Colombo and was graced by Archt. Marina Tabassum, the winner of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2016. 

SLIA President Archt. D.H. Wijewardene FIA (SL), Senior Vice President, Council Members, renowned architects and representatives of other professions in the construction industry were present at this event. The annual awards ceremony which is the highlight of the SLIA calendar is held to recognise and appreciate homegrown talent in the industry.

Speaking at the awards night JAT Holdings Founder/Managing Director Aelian Gunawardene noted, “JAT is proud to be a part of such a prestigious event that appreciates the efforts of the Sri Lankan architectural fraternity. As a company that has its roots in this sector JAT is very passionate about taking the industry to greater heights. We believe in the potential that Sri Lanka has and have already seen from this event itself the magnitude of talent and promise that our architects have. We will definitely continue to support the industry by not just sponsoring events but also by introducing world-class products like SEA Kitchens, Herman Miller Furniture and our latest addition the revolutionary pool-care solution, Crystalline, that will no doubt assist architects and the construction industry to deliver exceptional quality finishes for home and office.”

One of the key events of the evening involved the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ which was awarded to Vidjajyothi Archt. Prof. Lakshman Alwis FIA (SL), who has made an immense contribution to the architectural fraternity. Meanwhile the Presidents’ Award 2018 awarded for the exceptional architectural talents displayed in designing of the Muscat & Salalah International Airport in the Sultanate of Oman was conferred to Archt. Athula Ranasinghe, Archt. Cynthia Ranasinghe, Archt. Ratnasiri Jayasinghe, Archt. H.B. Wijewardane, Archt. Madhura Prematilleke, Archt. Rehan Tilakaratna, Archt. R.P.L.M. Muniratne, Archt. Chaminda Munasinghe, Archt. Neelanga Weerasekera, Archt. Kithsiri Almeida, Archt. Mahendra Wickramatilake, Archt. Melathi Wijewardena, Archt. Manjula Fernando and Archt. K. Somanayake. The ‘Young Architect of the Year’ award was won by Archt. Sudesh Nanayakkara.

Awards of Excellence were given to Archt. Anushka Dasanayake (Private Residencies Category – Residence for Harsha Gunasekera, Boralesgamuwa), Archt. Palinda Kannangara (Private Residencies Category – Studio Dwelling, Rajagiriya), Archt. M.M.G. Samuel (Renovations Category – Lavan’s Studio Apartment, Colombo 3). The Colours Awards of the night went to Archt. D.K. Nalaka Krishantha(Hotels Category – Cove D’Explorer, Wadduwa) and Archt. Damith Premathilaka (Interior Design Category – Salon 7th Avenue School of Hair and Beauty, Colombo 5).

Special Design Awards were also given to Archt. D.K. Nalaka Krishantha (Hotels Category – Cove D’ Explorer, Wadduwa), Darnie Rajapaksha (Hotels Category – Chena Huts, Yala), Archt. Damith Premathilaka (Interior Design Category Salon 7th Avenue School of Hair and Beauty, Colombo 5), Archt. Ranga Dayasena(Adaptive Reuse Category – The Creative Shelter, Rathmalana) and Archt. Sudesh Nanayakkara (Adaptive Reuse Category – Kalogaha Retreat, Dambulla). 

Awards of Honourable Mention were won by Archt. Dr. Narain Perera (Private Residencies Category – “Solis Ortus” Home for Harin&Mihiri Gabriel, Pelawatte), Archt. Muditha Premathilaka (Adaptive Reuse Category Luxury Holiday Resort, Mirissa). The evening’s Awards of Merit went to Archt. Kosala Weerasekera (Interior Design Category – The Paint Shop, Kalutara), Archt. Russell Dandeniya (Office Buildings Category Office Building for Jiffy Products (SL) Ltd., Meerigama), and Archt. Jayanath Silva (Civic Buildings Category – War Memorial for Sri Lanka Air Force, Ekala – Jaela).

JAT Holdings manufactures, distributes and markets a range of products specially formulated for the construction industry. Permoglaze and Crown Paints, Sayerlack Wood Coatings, Brush Master Paint Brushes, Petal Paint (a unique product that creates paints from the natural colouring obtained from flowers) are among household names trusted by construction professionals, architects and homeowners alike.