Ishara Nanayakkara has claimed the position of Sri Lanka’s wealthiest individual in 2025, overtaking established business leader Dhammika Perera in the country’s wealth hierarchy. Recent estimates place Nanayakkara’s fortune at approximately USD 1.6 billion, according to Gulf News reporting.
The businessman leads LOLC Holdings as Chairman, overseeing a diversified financial services and investment empire that spans more than 10 countries. Under his leadership, the conglomerate has pursued aggressive international growth, with particular emphasis on expanding its microfinance and insurance operations across global markets.
LOLC Holdings PLC currently holds the fourth position among Sri Lanka’s largest publicly traded companies by market capitalization. The group’s influence extends further through LOLC Finance PLC and Browns Investments PLC, both of which maintain positions within the top 15 companies listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange, based on current CSE market data.
When viewed within the broader South Asian economic landscape, regional wealth concentration remains heavily skewed toward India. Mukesh Ambani continues to dominate with a USD 118 billion net worth—nearly ten times larger than the second-wealthiest individual, Shahid Khan. Ambani’s fortune alone exceeds the total combined wealth of leading business figures across Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
The shift in Sri Lanka’s wealth rankings reflects the ongoing evolution of the country’s business landscape, with Nanayakkara’s international expansion strategy positioning LOLC as a significant player in regional financial services markets.