K.R. Ravindran, one of Sri Lanka’s most respected business leaders and the only Sri Lankan to serve as Rotary International President, has been recognised as one of the Top 10 Champions of Diversity by Women in Management (WIM) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group. The award acknowledges his significant efforts in advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) within Rotary International and at his workplace.
Ravindran co-founded Printcare PLC with the late Merrill J. Fernando nearly 40 years ago. Today, Printcare stands as one of South Asia’s most reputable printing and packaging companies, with operations in Sri Lanka, India, and Africa. Known as a model employer, Printcare actively promotes DEI, providing inclusive policies and worker-friendly schemes. The company employs physically and mentally challenged individuals and supports schools and communities in the areas surrounding its facilities.
In his acceptance speech, Ravindran expressed gratitude to WIM for its commitment to DEI, emphasising its importance during challenging times. “In the U.S., companies like Walmart, John Deere, Ford, and Harley-Davidson have recently reduced or halted their DEI initiatives, citing financial pressures and perhaps political trends. In contrast, Sri Lankan companies remain steadfast in their commitment to creating respectful workplaces where everyone feels valued, heard, and empowered, and where differences are celebrated as strengths,” he remarked.
Ravindran was the first Sri Lankan and the 11th Asian to serve as Rotary International President, a Chicago-based global organisation. He later went on to chair the Board of the $3 billion Rotary Foundation. His leadership in Rotary has had a transformative impact on Sri Lanka. He played a pivotal role in eradicating polio in the country by initiating a task force involving the government, UNICEF, and Rotary. He successfully influenced Rotary to fund a significant portion of Sri Lanka’s polio vaccine requirements and worked with UNICEF to negotiate a ceasefire during the civil war, ensuring children across the country could be immunised. As a result, Sri Lanka became one of the first countries in Asia to be declared polio-free.
After the 2004 tsunami, Ravindran led Rotary’s efforts to rebuild 23 schools that had been destroyed. This $12 million project was completed within three years, with one of the schools later winning the prestigious Geoffrey Bawa Award. He was also instrumental in establishing the National Cancer Detection Centre, which has screened over 100,000 women free of charge. The centre is now expanding to include cervical cancer detection, supporting Sri Lanka’s goal of eradicating cervical cancer by 2030.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ravindran led Rotary Sri Lanka’s initiative to upgrade the MRI facilities in the country. More recently, amidst Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, he persuaded the Rotary International Board to collaborate with UNICEF in a unique joint programme. This partnership, supported by funds raised by Rotary members worldwide, provided lifesaving medical supplies to Sri Lanka.
Ravindran’s exceptional contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including an honorary doctorate from the University of Korea. The Sri Lankan government honoured him with the prestigious Sri Lanka Sikhamani title (Jewel of Sri Lanka) and issued a postage stamp to commemorate his achievements.
