Mohan Pandithage inducted into Sri Lanka Aviation Hall of Fame

Senior business leader and Hayleys Chairman and Chief Executive Mohan Pandithage (right) receives the accolade from Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva

• Having joined the Hayleys Group in 1969, Pandithage was appointed to the Hayleys PLC Board in 1998 and from July 2009 as Chairman and Chief Executive of Hayleys PLC. Hayleys being in the Shipping Industry, its move into the airline industry was the brainchild of Pandithage, whose first achievement was obtaining the GSA for British Airways and Qantas. Once on this trajectory, and not looking back, his enthusiasm to look for more GSAs led to Hayleys now representing several of the world top Passenger and Cargo Airlines.

Senior business leader and Hayleys Chairman and Chief Executive Mohan Pandithage was recently inducted into the ‘Sri Lanka Aviation Hall of Fame’ 2023 by the International Airline and Aviation College (IAAC).

He was inducted formally by Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva.

The induction was made at IAAC’s 2023 graduation and in recognition of Pandithage’s unique and indelible contribution to Sri Lanka’s corporate sphere.

The IAAC is the most reputed and recognised aviation college and has over the past eight years, educated and trained the country’s future aviators. IAAC is a private educational institute based in Sri Lanka which commenced academic programs in October 2015. The college is strategically located in the heart of Colombo city, in close proximity to 12 leading national schools, which cater to about 20,000 potential students.

IAAC received the “Best Airline Training College” in Sri Lanka Award twice for the year 2020-2021 and was also recognised as the Best Airline Training School in Asia in 2022.

The IAAC Awards Council is made up of high-profile members of the Sri Lankan Aviation industry, with impeccable credentials, and a combined experience of more than 350 years. The members of the Council are: Mohamed Adheeb: Chairman – Award Council, Damian Jayasuriya: Deputy Chairman – Award Council, Yohan Pathirana: Secretary – Award Council, Keerthi Peiris: Council Member/Head of Training, Dr. Sumith De Silva: Council Member, Dr. Sudesh Rupasinghe: Council Member, Ravi De Silva: Council Member and Shannon Ambrose: Council Member.

Mohan Pandithage’s professional achievements include Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport (UK); Honorary Consul of the United Mexican States (Mexico) to Sri Lanka; Member Presidential Committee on Maritime Matters; Board Member Sri Lanka Port Management & Consultancy Services and former Ceylon Association of Ships Agents; Council Member of the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon; Member of the Advisory Council, Ministry of Ports and Shipping and Member of the Advisory Council of the Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents. He has served as a Board Director of Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Jaya Container Terminals Ltd. He also serves as a Board Director at Diesel & Motor Engineering Co. PLC.

Pandithage was the recipient of the Best Shipping Personality Award by the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers; and Leadership Excellence Recognition – Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka. He was honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award at the Seatrade – Sri Lanka Ports, Trade and Logistics; Lifetime Award for the Most Outstanding Logistics and Transport; Personality of the Year – Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport.

IAAC said Mohan Pandithage, an alumni of Ananda College, is without doubt, one of Sri Lanka’s most notable and well-known corporate figures. He has contributed immensely to public policy development and in attracting foreign direct investments to Sri Lanka. Further, his managerial expertise has been sought by the Public sector for the implementation of large infrastructure projects.

As Honorary Consul of the United Mexican States (Mexico) to Sri Lanka from 13 September 2011, Pandithage has provided leadership in promotion of trade, economic cooperation and friendship between the two countries. He has also been instrumental in facilitating investments, trade and services, and helped build strong cultural and strategic bilateral relations between Mexico and Sri Lanka.

Having joined the Hayleys Group in 1969, Pandithage was appointed to the Hayleys PLC Board in 1998 and from July 2009 as Chairman and Chief Executive of Hayleys PLC. Hayleys being in the Shipping Industry, its move into the airline industry was the brainchild of Pandithage, whose first achievement was obtaining the GSA for British Airways and Qantas.

Once on this trajectory, and not looking back, his enthusiasm to look for more GSAs led to Hayleys now representing several of the world top Passenger and Cargo Airlines.

He is the loving husband to Rohinie Pandithage and proud father Prishan Pandithage and Sheahara Pandithage.

McCann Worldwide India’s Global Brand Custodian for Air India Kamal Basu said: “It was in the mid 90’s when I first met Mr Pandithage in Colombo on a British Airways assignment on ‘One World’. He introduced me to the quintessential Sri Lankan hospitality. A warm and thorough gentleman, both professionally and personally. A couple of things that I learnt from interactions with him, stay with me even today. His art of listening. A veteran in aviation even then, he would patiently listen to different and divergent points of view of the people in the room. Something that one does not get to see much of leaders even today. 

“And secondly, his attention to detail. We had to put together a fairly exhaustive presentation and his direction to the finer details of the look and feel of the presentation material made one realise the metal Mr Pandithage is made of. Greatness and success was always at his doorstep and his induction into the Aviation Hall of Fame is truly well earned and deserved. I wish him much success and great health ahead. Congratulations Mohan Pandithage.” 

Emirates former Sri Lanka and Maldives Country Manager Chandana De Silva said: “Young Mr. Pandithage, had been a very passionate Cricketer and Ruggerite and I am sure the Anandians will agree with me if I am not mistaken. He is also a very stylish person, if you see him at a function, you can easily consider him as the best dressed person in any room. 53 years at Hayleys, is not a small achievement in any sense, and throughout these 53 years he has always been a people person, who has never ever looked the other way when it came to the needy, in any shape or form. His passion and kindness towards people has made Mr. Pandithage what he is today. If ever anyone asks me who the Godfather of Logistics and Aviation in Sri Lanka is, I will unreservedly tell them it is Mr. Mohan Pandithage. Sir, I sincerely wish you well, and all the very best in life! Congratulations once again on this unique recognition.”

Oman Air Former Country Manager Gihan Karunaratne said: “I would like to congratulate Mr. Mohan Pandithage on his induction into the IAAC aviation hall of fame. No man deserves this higher honour than he does. I have personally known Mohan for more than 45 years, and I have worked with him for more than 15 years in my capacity of Country Manager for Oman Airways. There is no other person who loves aviation and who would do anything for the enhancement of aviation in Sri Lanka other than Mohan, and in my opinion, this is a very worthy recognition.

“I would also like to congratulate the committee on a stellar addition to the Hall of Fame and to Mohan on adding another fantastic feather in the cap for the illustrious Chairman of Hayleys and many other organisations. Congratulations and thank you for everything that you have done for the industry and I Know you will continue to do greater things for the Aviation in Sri Lanka.” 

Mohan Pandithage with wife Rohinie Pandithage, son Prishan Pandithage and daughter Sheahara Pandithage