News

South Asian Travel Awards 2025 Honours the Late Deshamanya Harry Jayawardena with the Prestigious “Faces of South Asia” Recognition

The South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2025 concluded on a distinguished note with a special tribute to one of Sri Lanka’s most eminent business leaders, the late Deshamanya D.H.S. (Harry) Jayawardena. During the Gala Ceremony, which was held on Saturday, 20th September, Mr. Jayawardena was conferred with the prestigious “Faces of South Asia” recognition, an accolade reserved for individuals whose legacies have left a lasting impact on the travel and hospitality landscape across the region.

Accepting the honour on behalf of the late Mr. Jayawardena was his daughter, Stasshani Jayawardena, Chairperson of Aitken Spence PLC and Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings PLC. She quoted, “The late Chairman was a remarkable icon and a dynamic entrepreneur, whose keen eye for calculated risk-taking propelled Sri Lankan enterprise across the regional landscape, empowering individuals, uplifting communities, and embedding social and environmental sustainability as a non-negotiable, guiding principle in every endeavour.”

The recognition was accompanied by the symbolic SATA Coin and a commemorative portfolio reflecting Mr. Jayawardena’s legacy of visionary leadership and pioneering achievements.

Mr. Jayawardena was instrumental in transforming the organisation into one of Sri Lanka’s most diversified and internationally recognised conglomerates with a strong presence in hospitality, logistics, and renewable energy.

Under his stewardship, Aitken Spence Hotels expanded its presence both locally and internationally, establishing a reputation for excellence and innovation that positioned both Sri Lanka and the Maldives as world-class destinations. Beyond tourism, he held leadership positions in several distinguished corporates and was widely acknowledged for his disciplined approach to corporate governance and sustainable business practices.

The SATA Board underscored that his enduring legacy aligns with the Awards’ mission of honouring excellence and fostering collaboration across the South Asian travel and hospitality sectors. His achievements exemplify the values of resilience, foresight, and innovation, and his contributions continue to serve as a benchmark for leadership within the industry.

Since its inception in 2016, the South Asian Travel Awards has served as the premier platform for recognising outstanding achievements in the region’s tourism and hospitality landscape. The 2025 Gala Ceremony brought together industry leaders, stakeholders, and distinguished guests from across South Asia, reaffirming a collective commitment to innovation, sustainability, and regional unity.

Stasshani Jayawardena accepting the honour on behalf of the late Deshamanya D.H.S. (Harry) Jayawardena.