Sri Lanka, Feb. 3 -- Deshamanya Kandiah "Ken" Balendra, a prominent Sri Lankan corporate leader, has passed away at the age of 84.

Born in 1940, Balendra was the first Sri Lankan chairman of John Keells Holdings Ltd., the country's largest conglomerate. He also held key leadership roles in major companies, including Brandix Lanka Ltd. and the South Asia Regional Fund of the Commonwealth Development Corporation.

Balendra began his career in 1963 as a planter at Finlays before joining John Keells Holdings in 1969. Rising through the ranks, he became a director in 1974 and later served as chairman from 1990 to 2000, overseeing a period of significant growth and diversification.

His leadership extended to various institutions, including th...