Dhammika Perera

Sri Lanka’s wealthiest self-made businessman — a grocer’s son who built an empire of ~23 listed companies in banking, ceramics, leisure and casinos, and who repeatedly held state investment-promotion posts.

Born in Payagala in 1967; left an engineering programme at Moratuwa at 19 for business. Built a fortune from hawking, slot machines, his first casino (1993) and electronics, then a decades-long acquisition campaign: Pan Asia Bank (2000), LB Finance/Royal Ceramics/The Fortress (2003), Vallibel Finance (2005), controlling Hayleys PLC (2008), Delmege (2010), co-chairman of Singer Sri Lanka (2017). Named the country’s wealthiest individual by 2013. Held the Board of Investment chair, the Transport Ministry secretaryship, a National List MP seat, and briefly the Investment Promotion ministry (2022).

Notable achievements

• Built one of Sri Lanka’s largest business empires from no inheritance.
• Acquired controlling stakes in Pan Asia Bank, LB Finance, Royal Ceramics, Vallibel Finance and the 1878-founded Hayleys PLC.
• Named Sri Lanka’s wealthiest individual by 2013 (Forbes Asia ~LKR 72.6bn / ~US$550M).
• Controls roughly 23 listed companies via the Vallibel One group.

Find them online