About Us
Excellence Built Into Every Layer
Who We Are
Founded in 1993, JAT Holdings PLC has grown from a pioneering Sri Lankan start-up into a leading multinational in paints, coatings, surface solutions and sustainable mobility infrastructure. What began with transforming the wood coatings industry in Sri Lanka has expanded into a diversified portfolio trusted by professionals, homeowners, and industries across South Asia, Africa and Australasia.
At the core of JAT’s success is a commitment to innovation, sustainability, quality, and design excellence. With advanced manufacturing expertise, we combine global technologies with local capabilities to deliver world-class paints, coatings, furnishing solutions, and emerging clean mobility infrastructure.
From introducing water-based wood coatings to redefining living spaces with premium kitchens, wardrobes, and ergonomic seating, and investing in electric vehicle charging solutions, JAT continues to set benchmarks across every market it serves.
Guided by visionary leadership and powered by entrepreneurial ambition and a deep sense of responsibility, JAT creates value, builds trust, and shapes the future of coatings, manufacturing, and sustainable infrastructure without boundaries.
VISION AND MISSIONGuiding Principles
Guiding Principles
Lighting Our Path
OUR VISION
Be the brand of choice to the finishing, living and furnishing industries in South Asia.
OUR MISSION
We are committed to building long-term relationships based on integrity, performance, value and exceeding customer satisfaction. We will continue to meet the changing needs of our clients with our highest quality and innovative solutions delivered by the most qualified people. We are more than a conglomerate. We are a dedicated team striving to bring growth to our community, helping to maintain existing businesses and assisting our clients in making their dreams become a reality.
OUR VALUESThe
The
Foundation
of Excellence
Leadership at all levels
Complete customer satisfaction
Continuous improvement and innovation
Founder’s Journey
Aelian Gunawardene
Founder and Managing Director/Executive Director
Aelian Gunawardene is the Founder and Managing Director of JAT Holdings PLC, and the entrepreneurial force behind its evolution into one of Sri Lanka’s most respected homegrown multinationals. His journey reflects foresight, disciplined leadership and a long-term commitment to building enduring institutions. After beginning his corporate career in 1986, Aelian founded JAT in 1993 with a clear ambition to raise standards within the nation's wood coatings industry. By challenging convention and investing in innovation from the outset, he laid the foundation for JAT’s transformation into a diversified, innovation-led organisation with a rapidly expanding international footprint. In recognition of his contributions to the Sri Lankan business landscape, he was honoured with the Sri Lankan Entrepreneur of the Year Platinum Award in 2017. This trajectory reached a significant milestone in 2021 with the successful listing of JAT Holdings PLC on the Colombo Stock Exchange, anchored by a leadership philosophy of integrity and accountability that continues to shape the Group’s culture, governance and approach to stakeholder relationships.
Alongside his role at JAT Holdings PLC, Aelian has pursued diverse entrepreneurial interests through separate, privately held ventures distinct from the Group’s core operations. These include JAT Technologies, established in 2015 to focus on technology-led solutions; JAT Property Group, founded in 2017 to operate within construction and property development; James Global, a 100 per cent Sri Lankan-owned enterprise dedicated to the ethical exploration and development of mineral resources; and Flexospan, a specialist in engineered steel structures and roofing solutions for industrial and commercial applications. Across all these endeavours, Aelian Gunawardene remains guided by a consistent focus on purpose, responsibility and the creation of long-term value.
What began in Sri Lanka has grown into a global journey, shaped by innovation, ambition, and disciplined expansion.
Leadership
JAT’s growth is guided by a leadership team defined by vision, discipline, and long-term thinking. With deep industry expertise and a strong commitment to governance, they steer the Group’s strategy, foster innovation, and ensure sustainable value creation across every market we serve.
