John Keells History

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  1. 1870
  2. 1973
  3. 1974
  4. 1986
  5. 1991
  6. 1994
  7. 1996
  8. 1999
  9. 2000
  10. 2003
  11. 2004
  12. 2008
  13. 2009
  14. 2011
  15. 2012
  16. 2013
  17. 2014

  1. 1870

    Our beginnings -Two English brothers, George and Edwin John set up E. John & Co, a firm of produce and exchange brokers.

  2. 1973

    Walkers Tours and Travels (Ceylon) Ltd, a leading inbound tour operator, is acquired.

  3. 1974

    The firm became a Rupee quoted public company. Changed its name to John Keells Ltd.

  4. 1986

    A newly incorporated John Keells Holdings (JKH) acquired a controlling stake in John Keells Limited, and obtained a quotation on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE)

  5. 1991

    Acquired the Whittalls Group of Companies, and thus gained control of Ceylon Cold Stores, Ceylon Holiday Resorts, and Union Assurance. The acquisition was one of the largest deals carried out at the time.

  6. 1994

    JKH became the first Sri Lankan company to obtain a listing abroad, by way of issuing Global Depository Receipts (GDRs) on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.

  7. 1996

    First major overseas investment - Velidhu Resort Hotel, an 80 roomed island resort in the Maldives, was acquired.

  8. 1999

    Nations Trust Bank (NTB) was established, in a joint venture with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Central Finance Co. Ltd. The South Asia Gateway Terminal (SAGT) commenced operations to own, operate, and develop the Queen Elizabeth Quay at the Port of Colombo.

  9. 2000

    JKH became the first Sri Lankan company to obtain the SL-AAA credit rating from Fitch Ratings. The firm was also admitted as a full member of the World Economic Forum, and was also rated among the best 300 small companies in the world by the Forbes Global magazine.

  10. 2003

    JKH acquired Asian Hotels and Properties, thereby gaining control of 40 per cent of the five star room capacity in Colombo.

  11. 2004

    John Keells Hotels Limited (KHL) was created as a holding company for all Group resorts. The Group’s CSR arm, The John Keells Social Responsibility Foundation was established as a non-profit.

  12. 2008

    JKH acquired a further 8.4 per cent in SAGT and also increased stakes in UA, CCS, JKL and KFPL. The stake in AMW was divested.

  13. 2009

    JKH’s market capitalization surpassed USD 1 billion. The Trans Asia Hotel was re-branded, and re-launched as Cinnamon Lakeside. The Group released its first standalone Sustainability Report, in full compliance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI-G3) framework.

  14. 2011

    “The Emperor” apartment project at Crescat City, Colombo reached completion. Chaaya Tranz Hikkaduwa and Chaaya Wild Yala were re-opened after refurbishment.

  15. 2012

    Cinnamon Bey, a 200 room five star resort was launched. “K-Zone”, a 140,000 sq. ft. mall was opened in Ja-Ela, Colombo. Keells Food Products PLC and Union Assurance PLC successfully raised LKR 1.2 billion and LKR 720 million respectively, via rights issues.

  16. 2013

    The market capitalisation of JKH exceeded USD 2 billion for the first time in the Group’s history. The “Waterfront” integrated resort project was announced to the public. JKH was recognised as one of the top 15 great places to work in Sri Lanka through a survey conducted by the Great Place to Work Institute.

  17. 2014

    “Cinnamon Red”, the first lean luxury hotel in Sri Lanka, was launched. The “OnThree20” residential development project was successfully completed. Union Assurance was segregated as per a regulatory directive, and the General Insurance segment was divested. JayKay Marketing Services (Private) Limited merged with Nexus Networks (Private) Limited, with JMSL being the surviving entity. Divested stakes in Expo Lanka Holdings PLC and Access Engineering PLC.

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