The preamble of JKH’s 2012 Annual Report

Single-minded dedication to profits is not a sustainable policy. This may sound like a strange way to begin an annual report for one of Sri Lanka’s leading business groups. But the truth is that the John Keells Group has never been simply about making money.

Our motivation, over nearly a century and a half of growth, diversification and profitability, has never varied: to be the best – not just the best at what we do, but also the best we can be. Excellence isn’t some management-manual buzzword with us: it is what makes it all worthwhile.

As Sri Lanka finds itself entering a new era of economic and social development, the John Keells Group is on the leading edge, driving growth aggressively wherever the opportunities are found (and sometimes making opportunities where none existed until we saw the potential), setting new benchmarks for achievement, showing the way in nascent fields of investment, leading by example.

Today we have formally integrated our reporting on sustainability initiatives into that of our financial performance. This is how we have defined the purpose that drives us in our commitment to business, to society and the environment, to our shareholders and other stakeholders – as well as in our own commitment to excellence. This report, we believe, demonstrates that purpose reflected in everything we do.