Nawaloka’s visionary leader extols virtues of self-belief

For a visionary leader, the primary accomplishment is not just the implementation of an idea, the expression of a charismatic personality, or the accumulation of wealth. Instead, it is reaching fulfillment in building a company that prospers with the values it stand for.

Through vision, well-honed leadership skills and commitment, Jayantha Dharmadasa, Chairman Nawaloka Holdings, has for nearly three decades nurtured one of Sri Lanka’s most respected diversified conglomerates. 

Diversified fields 
A transformational journey which began three decades ago, today encompasses a wide range of business, “Today, we have twenty five companies under Nawaloka Holdings”. Each one of these companies have the potential of being the best in its sphere be it construction, distribution, agriculture or education. 

Since taking over the helm at Nawaloka Hospitals in 1988, Dharmadasa says, “When I started running the hospital we had only 100 beds and one building. Today, it’s 400 beds in Colombo and 70 beds in Negombo; well-equipped and well positioned to meet tomorrows demands.

Our expansion continued with inroads into construction. However, he concedes this was an uphill task, “When I started the construction company I only had the letterheads with me, there was nothing.”Dharmadasa’s business acumen and firm resolve transformed the fledgling business. He adds “We managed to get some road works and some buildings at the time, gradually our customers and the industry started to recognize Nawaloka Construction Company for workmanship, speed of work and ease of doing business; and a decade later, we are the premier builders in Sri Lanka with M1 grading. 

Other companies which he proudly acknowledges is Nawaloka’s partnership with the French multinational oil company, Total. Today, Nawaloka is an important player in the extremely lucrative and growing automotive lubricant market.

Through its strategic acquisition and rejuvenation of East-West Marketing (EWM), Nawaloka Holdings gained a foothold in to the thriving consumer products sector distributing some of the world’s leading FMCG brands countrywide. 

Other companies
Other companies which are thriving under the Nawaloka Holdings umbrella include, Ceyoka (Pvt.) Ltd., which in its own right is a diversified group of companies with interests in five business verticals including construction, engineering, pharmaceuticals, interior and showroom concepts and trading.

Nawaloka trading has diversified business interests and have ventured in to MEP concepts in collaboration with globally renowned Carrier and Toshiba and is the preferred partner for many leading contractors. Nawaloka Agri which is also a subsidiary of Ceyoka (Pvt.) Ltd., is the thriving business with a full range of agriculture related equipment offering 50HP 4Wheel tractors implements, water pumps, sprayers and power tillers. 

Our subsidiary Ashford International the sole agent for Mitsubishi products, Godrej storage solutions, Oma compressors, and Albert high pressure washers and Nawaloka Polysacks which manufactures polythene/plastic based packaging products. “Polysacks was also a company which had closed down, I took over and now its number one in the country,” Dharmadasa said. 

His strategic and timely decision to setup a packaging factory overseas has also paid rich dividends, “We have a factory in Sharjah, Dubai for the last 13 years which is also doing very well and we are number two in UAE.”

Skills required to conquer adversity and emerge stronger makes extraordinary leaders. Commenting on this leadership styles, Dharmadasa says, “One could call it luck, but it is also hard work and commitment to succeed,with a bit of luck.”

“Today my role is more on managing people and objectives”, he says “I have become a supervisor now, using myexperience, I guide my management team, they know what I expect from them.”

Dramatic growth
Steering the company towards dramatic growth Dharmadasa dons many hats. He is The Vice President of Sri Lanka Cricket, Consul General of Singapore, Chairman of both the Cine Star Foundation and the Outstanding Song Creator’s Association (OSCA), which look into the wellbeing of our artistes.

Despite overseeing 25 businesses, Dharmadasa remains passionate about life; watching cricket and rugby, teledramas and films.A family man at heart, “I enjoy time with my family. Work stops at 6pm. Sundays, I spend with my grandchildren and that is my favorite part of the week. On life, his pragmatic response is “Even if I die today I am very happy with my life, with what I have achieved.”  As one of the most accomplished person’s in today’s business circle, Dharmadasa offers sage counsel. He says, “You should never give up and must believe in yourself, in my world nothing is impossible”.