A great pillar of the business community bids farewell

• Remembering Keerthi Gunawardane, a corporate leader of profound humility, deep empathy, and unyielding commitment to the grassroots economy

The Federation of Chamber  of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) yesterday bid a heartfelt farewell to Immediate Past President Keerthi Gunawardane. 

The chamber said: “This remembrance honors a life dedicated to the nation’s economic progress, the empowerment of local businesses, and the strengthening of regional trade. His strategic vision, unwavering support for Sri Lankan enterprises, and profound humanity will forever remain the guiding light of our chamber fraternity.

The Sri Lankan business landscape has lost one of its most ardent champions. Kalawitigodage Keerthi Sirimewan Gunawardane, the Immediate Past President of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL), has passed away. As the corporate community gathers to pay its final respects at his funeral this coming Sunday, it is a fitting moment to reflect on a remarkable journey of entrepreneurial brilliance and selfless national service.

Born to lead, Gunawardane’s educational foundation was laid at Kingswood College in Kandy, St. Thomas’s College in Gurutalawa, and Central College in Welimada. He later pursued higher education, earning an Economics Special (Hons.)

degree from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. His drive for continuous learning also led him to the University of Colombo to study Hypermedia Engineering and Multimedia Technology, and to the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka for a Post Graduate Diploma in Business and Financial Administration.

He began his corporate career as a Management Trainee at the Sri Lanka State Trading (General) Company, eventually serving as the Marketing Manager and Director of Marketing at Toppan Moore (Colombo) Limited. In 1991, he stepped out to chart his own entrepreneurial path by founding Graphic Systems Ltd. Under his stewardship as Chairman and Managing Director, the enterprise transformed from a small printing firm into Sri Lanka’s leading company for NCR Business forms. His pursuit of excellence earned him the National Bronze Award at the “Sri Lanka Entrepreneur of the Year” in 1999 and the Provincial Merit Award for the Western Province in 2001. Recognising his lifelong dedication, the Sri Lanka Association of Printers honored him with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.

However, his most enduring journey lies in his service to the broader business community. Taking the reins as President of the FCCISL in October 2022, he guided the Chamber through one of the most challenging economic eras in recent history.

He was deeply committed to regional collaboration, serving proudly as the SAARC contact point for Sri Lanka. He actively championed trade, investment, and innovation across SAARC nations to drive sustainable economic growth. Furthermore, his international networking efforts were instrumental in securing the hosting rights for the 39th Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) Conference in Colombo. He also spearheaded strategic engagements alongside the Export Development Board (EDB) to unlock vital export opportunities in the Japanese market for local businesses.

Gunawardane’s vision extended far beyond corporate boardrooms; he was committed to empowering the grassroots level. He advocated strongly for local startup support, frequently pushing for policies that would allow Sri Lanka to emulate thriving regional startup ecosystems.

He was also a driving force behind a workplace-based learning program in the hospitality sector. By partnering with NAITA and the ILO, he helped launch an initiative to sharpen the skills of returnee and aspirant migrant workers across districts such as Anuradhapura, Batticaloa, and Jaffna, giving them tangible pathways to local and overseas employment.

Beyond his professional accolades, Keerthi was a devoted family man, leaving behind his wife and three daughters. He was a leader who balanced his immense corporate responsibilities with deep empathy, humility, and kindness.

For those of us at the FCCISL, he was more than a president; he was a mentor, a steady pillar of strength, and a true friend. We will deeply miss his pragmatic advice, his calm demeanor during crises, and his unyielding belief in the potential of Sri Lankan enterprises. As we bid him a final farewell this Sunday, we find solace in the fact that his legacy will continue to inspire generations of entrepreneurs.

May he attain the Supreme Bliss of Nirvana”.