M.G. Kularatne recognised as ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’

Veteran business leader M.G. Kularatne won the ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ award at this year’s Ada Derana Sri Lankan of the Year 2018, held at Hilton Colombo recently. Founder and visionary of Maga Engineering, the largest construction company in the country, Kularatne was recognised for his entrepreneurial spirit and creative leadership that has elevated the Sri Lankan construction industry.

Awards are presented in a wide range of fields including arts, sports, public service, business and heroism. The two-tiered selection process is a robust and transparent scheme with nominees being shortlisted through an editorially driven process, under the supervision of the Ada Derana editorial leadership and industry specialists.  

Speaking after the event, M.G. Kularatne stated: “I dedicate this award to the entire team at Maga for their commitment and hard work over the years. I believe it is a testament to the indomitable spirit and core values held within Maga, through which we have built a reputation as the most trusted construction company in Sri Lanka and have had the opportunity to positively to contribute to the sustainable growth of the Sri Lankan construction industry and the economy.”

Under his leadership, Maga has grown from humble beginnings to become the leading construction company in the country, going toe-to-toe with reputed international contractors to construct some of the country’s most landmark buildings, roads, bridges and water supply schemes. 

He has spearheaded the delivery of projects of international acclaim, including the construction of Sri Lanka’s tallest building(Grand Hyatt), world’s tallest vertical garden (Clearpoint Residencies), South Asia’s first green university (NSBM Green University Town), world’s first LEED Platinum certified manufacturing plant (MAS Thurulie) and the country’s longest road rehabilitation (Matara Wellawaya Road).

Kularatne’s nationalistic ethos has inspired Maga to build a truly Sri Lankan organisation, with over 350 engineers and a workforce of over 10,000 that has completed over 450 projects in the process. The company’s sustainable businesses practices have set a benchmark in the industry, as a responsible corporate entity committed to the wellbeing of local communities and stakeholders, as evidenced by the company holding the Platinum rating and number four rank in the country’s Corporate Accountability Index.

Alluding to this fact, Kularatne noted: “The construction industry is well positioned to further enact positive social impact amongst a wide cross-section of communities across the country, and bring people together. I believe economic empowerment is not just about wealth generation but also social development, and we are committed to achieve both through the infrastructure development projects we engage in.”

Kularatne is a graduate of the University Ceylon and a Fellow of the Institute of Certified Professional Managers and the Institute of Chartered Business Administrators. Joining the Sri Lanka Army after graduation, where he had an illustrious career, he was elevated to the rank of Captain in 1968. Subsequently, he served as the Administration Officer at the New Parliament project at Sri Jayewardenepura for Mitsui Construction of Japan and as the Chief Administration Officer at the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital Project for Kajima Corporation of Japan.

He also served as the special advisor to Takenaka Komuten Co. Ltd. of Japan at the New International Passenger Terminal Project at the Katunayake International Airport. Kularatne established Maga Engineering in 1984, setting the foundation for it to become a model construction company and steering it to its present market leadership position.