Business Today TOP TWENTY corporate performers

Business Today TOP TWENTY recognised the best in corporate Sri Lanka for the financial year 2009-2010. The ceremony was held at the Hilton Colombo.

This year, John Keells Holdings rose to the number one slot from number three last year.

The Business Today TOP TWENTY award winners for 2009-2010 with the Chief Guest Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Chairman/Managing Director BT Options Mathi K Parthipan, Analyst, Business Today TOP TWENTY Keith Bernard. Award winner Chevron Lubricants’ CEO/MD Kishu Gomes stood out in his national costume.

Transport was the main contributor to the Group’s after tax profits, contributing 41 percent. Operation of the South Asia Gateway Terminals at the Colombo Port was the main driving factor JKH.

Hatton National Bank and Bukit Darah secured second and third positions. The Hatton National Bank recorded a 35 percent growth in profit after tax and posted Rs. 4.3 billion of profit after tax. Bukit Darah’s consolidated profit after tax had increased to 158 percent.

Ceylon Tobacco Company ranked fourth while Commercial Bank of Ceylon was fifth. Colombo Dockyard was placed sixth, Sri Lanka Telecom at seven while DFCC Bank the eighth position.

Completing the top ten were Hayleys at ninth and Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka at tenth positions. NDB Bank at 11, Sampath Bank - 12, Aitken Spence - 13, Cargills (Ceylon) - 14, Lankem Ceylon - 15, Lanka Orix Leasing Company - 15, Chevron Lubricants Lanka - 16, Nestle Lanka - 16, Tokyo Cement Company (Lanka) - 17, Diesel & Motor Engineering - 18, Seylan Bank - 19 and Lanka Walltile - 20.

The Business Today TOP TWENTY - companies were selected out of public quoted companies on the basis of their financial performance, during the financial year ending December 31, 2009/March 31, 2010.

The criteria used for selection were; sales turnover, growth in sales turnover, profits, growth in profits, return on equity, growth in earning per share, market capitalisation, value of shares transacted and value addition.

High and growing top line performance, though necessary, is not the only criteria necessary to qualify as a Business Today TOP TWENTY Performer.

Business Today, since 1998 has annually recognised the top corporate performers in Sri Lanka who have strengthened the economy during challenging times.