Deshamanya Kandiah “Ken” Balendra, a pioneering Sri Lankan corporate leader, has passed away at the age of 84.

Born in 1940, Balendra held numerous key positions in Sri Lanka and the region. He was the first Sri Lankan chairman of John Keells Holdings Ltd., the country’s largest conglomerate. He also served as chairman of Brandix Lanka Ltd. and the South Asia Regional Fund of the Commonwealth Development Corporation.