Commaraswamy appointed to JKH Board

Top Lankan born international economist Dr. Indrajith Coomaraswamy has been appointed as a Non Executive Director to the Board of the John Keells Holdings (JKH).

With the appointment of Coomaraswamy, the premier blue chip’s Board has six independent directors out of a total of nine.

Dr. Coomaraswamy is an experienced development professional with a 30-year track record of policy-making and providing economic advisory services at national and inter-governmental levels. This has included working extensively on both macroeconomic and structural issues.

He has a strong academic background, well developed analytical, technical leadership advocacy and presentational skills, all of which have contributed to a track record in public policy at a senior level over a sustained period.



Considerable experience has also been gained in implementing projects and programmes in complex environments within a results-based framework, as well as negotiating and collaborating with major multilateral and bilateral donors and other stakeholders, including civil society and the private sector.

He was the Director of the Economic Affairs Division, leading the Commonwealth Secretariat’s economic policy work whilst among other highlights of his career are Secondment from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka to the Ministry of Finance and Planning in order work directly with the Minister and Secretary to the Treasury in an advisory capacity on both macroeconomic issues and structural reforms. He had provided advice to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Economic Reform, Science and Technology, Sri Lanka (2002-3), at the time of key events such as Budget Speeches, Sri Lanka Development fora and negotiations with Bretton Woods institutions and other major donors.

Dr. Coomaraswamy also had brief stints at Hatton National Bank Ltd., Galleon Research Services and as Interim Director of ‘the Social Transformation Division (Health. Education and Gender) of the Commonwealth Secretariat.

With the appointment of Dr. Coomaraswamy the Board of Directors of JKH comprises Susantha Ratnayake (Chairman and CEO), Ajit Gunewardena (Deputy Chairman), Ronnie Peiris, Franklyn Amerasinghe, Steven Enderby, Deva Rodrigo, S.S. Tiruchelvam, Tarun Das and I. Coomaraswamy.