Mrs. Aban Pestonjee, Chairperson of the Abans Group and one of Sri Lanka’s most influential business leaders, has been honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the SLID–ACCA National Corporate Director Awards 2025, in recognition of her extraordinary contribution to corporate leadership, governance and entrepreneurship.

The award was presented at a ceremony held on January 28, 2026, at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo, in the presence of senior corporate leaders, policymakers and diplomats. The event was graced by Andrew Patrick, British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, as Chief Guest, and D. B. P. H. Dissanayake, Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka, as Guest of Honour.

The recognition places Mrs. Pestonjee among a select group of leaders whose impact has transcended business success to shape industries, institutions and lives.

A Vision Forged Through Resilience

Mrs. Pestonjee’s journey is widely regarded as one of the most inspiring entrepreneurial stories in Sri Lanka’s modern business history. In the late 1970s, at just 25 years old, married and raising three children, she embarked on an unconventional path at a time when female entrepreneurship was rare and economic conditions were challenging.

With imports restricted and household appliances considered luxuries, Mrs. Pestonjee identified an unmet social need easing the burden of domestic labour for Sri Lankan households. She began by purchasing consumer appliances from embassy auctions and reselling them locally, often retaining one unit for spare parts to ensure customer service.

Starting with no employees and operating from her own garage, she built her business on three principles that would later define the Abans Group: honesty, hard work and perseverance.

“You learn when you make mistakes and then come out stronger, because you understand the business better,” she later reflected in an interview with Harvard Business School.

Persistence That Built a Conglomerate

When Sri Lanka’s economy opened in 1978, demand surged but access to capital did not. Banks were reluctant to finance a small, woman led enterprise. Undeterred, Mrs. Pestonjee wrote repeatedly to international manufacturers, determined to secure global partnerships.

Her persistence paid off when Electrolux became the first multinational brand to place its trust in her business, impressed by her commitment to after sales service and customer care. That partnership marked a turning point, paving the way for alliances with global brands including Belling, Hoover, and LG (formerly Gold Star).

From a modest home based operation in Bambalapitiya, Abans expanded into Colpetty, where its first purpose-built office was constructed a building that now stands six storeys tall, mirroring the company’s growth.

A Family Driven Legacy

Abans remains a deeply family rooted enterprise. Mrs. Pestonjee’s values of persistence and long-term vision are evident across generations. The group’s entry into the quick service restaurant sector through McDonald’s Sri Lanka followed a decade long effort led by her son, Russy a testament to the same resilience that defined her own journey.

Today, the Abans Group comprises over 20 independently operating businesses, employs more than 10,000 people, and is expected to exceed Rs. 50 billion in annual turnover. Its interests span retail, manufacturing, logistics, real estate, engineering, energy and food services.

Leadership with Purpose

Beyond commercial success, Mrs. Pestonjee has consistently championed ethical leadership and social responsibility. She has often emphasised that business should serve society, not merely generate profit.

“If a woman wants to go into business,” she has said, “she should not focus only on what she will gain, but on how the business can benefit society.”

It is this philosophy combining commercial discipline with human values that has earned her respect across Sri Lanka’s corporate landscape and international recognition as a role model for women entrepreneurs.

An Enduring Inspiration

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognises not only Mrs. Aban Pestonjee’s business accomplishments, but also her enduring influence as a mentor, trailblazer and symbol of possibility.

At a time when conversations around women’s leadership continue to evolve, her story stands as powerful proof that vision, integrity and perseverance can overcome structural barriers and that leadership, when rooted in purpose, leaves a legacy far beyond balance sheets.

For Sri Lanka’s business community, and especially for aspiring women leaders, Mrs. Aban Pestonjee’s journey remains a reminder that lasting success is built not overnight, but through courage, conviction and unwavering belief.

-Bizwire Editorial

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In celebration of an enduring legacy and unwavering commitment to excellence, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) recently honoured five distinguished Chartered Accountants for their outstanding contribution, which has not only shaped Sri Lanka’s financial and economic landscape but also enriched the corporate world, society, and the nation through visionary leadership, ethical stewardship, and a deep sense of civic responsibility.

At a grand ceremony held at Monarch Imperial, CA Sri Lanka bestowed the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award 2025 on veteran Chartered Accountant Mr. Hemaka Amarasuriya. In addition, Chartered Accountants Mr. Don Kumaray Uttumdunna Corea, Ms. Yoshita Shirani de Silva, Mr. M. V. Muhsin, and Mr. Mohan Asoka Abeynaike, were inducted into the CA Sri Lanka Hall of Fame for the year 2025, in recognition of their extraordinary contributions to the accounting profession, the business world, and society at large.

President of CA Sri Lanka Mr. Heshana Kuruppu presented the five distinguished members with mementoes in the presence of Vice President Mr. Tishan Subasinghe, Past President Mr. Arjuna Herath, and Chief Executive Officer Ms. Lakmali Priyangika.

A Fellow Member of CA Sri Lanka, Mr. Hemaka Amarasuriya is a distinguished corporate leader whose career spans over four decades. He began his journey with the Singer Group in 1973 and rose to become Chairman in 1985, steering the company to remarkable success until his retirement in 2015. Under his leadership, Singer was consistently ranked among Sri Lanka’s top companies and recognised as a leading brand. Mr Amarasuriya also held key regional and global roles, including Senior Regional Vice President overseeing operations across multiple continents. His inclusive leadership style and commitment to people development were hallmarks of his tenure. Beyond the corporate sphere, he contributed significantly to public service, including roles with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Presidential Task Force on Science and Technology, and leadership positions in the financial sector. He also served as Chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket, founding the Cricket Academy and leading the team to an ICC Champions Trophy win.

Mr. Don Kumaray Uttumdunna Corea is a globally respected Chartered Accountant whose career spans continents and sectors. After qualifying in Sri Lanka, he built a distinguished international career, notably in Botswana, where he became the founding Senior Partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers and served on the Governing Board of PwC Southern Africa. He also led the Botswana Institute of Accountants as President. Mr Corea’s leadership extended to public service, including his role as Director General of Botswana’s National Strategy Office and board appointments at key national institutions. He played a pivotal role in recruiting and mentoring over 350 Sri Lankan accountants in Botswana, fostering professional development and cross-cultural exchange. His contributions to conservation and education, including founding the Serendib/Mokolodi African Elephant Project, reflect his deep commitment to societal impact.

Ms. de Silva is a trailblazing Chartered Accountant whose career spans over four decades of professional excellence and community service. A Fellow Member of CA Sri Lanka, she began her journey at M. N. Sambamurti & Co. and rose to become Managing Partner of Kreston Sri Lanka, leading the firm until her retirement in 2022. Her expertise in audit, assurance, and tax advisory services has supported a wide range of clients across sectors. She also played a vital role in shaping the profession through her service on the Council of CA Sri Lanka and other key institutions. Beyond her professional achievements, Ms. de Silva has made a profound impact through social service. As President of Soroptimist International of Colombo, she led initiatives in early childhood education, healthcare, and support for visually impaired children.

Mr. M. V. Muhsin, a Fellow Member of CA Sri Lanka, is one of the country’s most distinguished global professionals. He holds the distinction of being the highest-ranking Sri Lankan to serve in senior leadership at the World Bank Group, where he was Vice President and Chief Information Officer. His pioneering work in enterprise transformation and digital development is globally recognised, including in a Harvard Business School case study. Throughout his career, Mr. Muhsin has held influential roles across continents, from advising Zambia’s President and leading state enterprise reform, to spearheading post-disaster recovery in Sudan and driving digital transformation through the e-Lanka initiative. In Sri Lanka, he contributed to governance excellence through board roles at John Keells Holdings and Dialog Axiata PLC. A visionary leader and strategic thinker, Mr. Muhsin has also served as a consultant and director of global foundations and was a keynote speaker at Microsoft’s Government Leaders Forum alongside Bill Gates.

Mr. Mohan Asoka Abeynaike has made a lasting impact on Sri Lanka’s professional and corporate sectors through decades of dedicated service. A former President of CA Sri Lanka, he played a pivotal role in shaping the Institute’s strategic direction, including the establishment of the Faculty of Taxation, a landmark initiative in professional education. His contributions extend beyond the Institute, with leadership roles in regulatory bodies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission, and academic institutions including the Postgraduate Institute of Management and the National Institute of Business Management. He also served as Vice President of the Organisation of Professional Associations of Sri Lanka. In the corporate sphere, Mr. Abeynaike held senior roles at Sampath Bank PLC, Pan Asia Bank PLC, and Siyapatha Finance PLC, and is the proprietor of Asia Pacific Investments (Pvt) Ltd.

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