W.T. Ellawala retiring as chairman of
View(s):Janashakthi; Husein Esufally to take overJanashakthi Insurance’s longstanding Non-Executive Chairman W.T. Ellawala on Wednesday announced his retirement from the company’s board, to come into effect in 2016. He made this announcement to a high profile audience, comprising some of Sri Lanka’s top corporate leaders; during a event launching the company’s 20th anniversary coffee table book, “Taming Risk: The Janashakthi Story”.
Mr. Ellewala noted that he’d been Janashakthi’s Chairman for the last 11 years, in addition to serving as a director since the company was founded 20 years ago. Elaborating on his reasons for stepping down, he cited the need to step aside for a younger generation of leaders. He also added that his phase out, which will be complete by the company’s next Annual General Meeting (AGM) in 2016, was part of a succession plan in place to hand over his responsibilities to the company’s recently appointed Deputy Chairman Husein Esufally.
Speaking about the book, Mr. Ellewala commented that it was as much a story of Janashakthi’s history as it was a tribute to company founder C.T.A Schaffter. He also noted that it was very distinctive, since it featured over 50 personal interviews and anecdotes based on conversations between the book’s writer, Michelle Gunawardana, and members of the Schaffter family, as well as other key Janashakthi stakeholders, including re-insurers, clients, staff from early years, etc. (JH)